JESUS IS COMING - /^ . \ By W. E. B. "Seek ye out oi the bock of the Lord and read." Isaiah xxxiv: 16. (Presentation Edition) Translations into 25 Languages Total Issues 886,000 Chicago, New York, Toronto Fleming H. Revell Company London and Edinburgh Moody Bible Institute of Chicago 153-163 Institute Place PRESENTATION COPY *TT* HE honored author of this book has com- missioned the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago to send copies gratuitously to ministers missionaries and theological students, especially in his own dearly-loved bfeLiodist Episcopal Church. For sixty-four years he has been a member of that church, and for a good part of the time one of its most fruitful local preachers. How the Lord has used him in its activities at home and abroad will mafye a rich chapter in its history when the record of these years is set down. If extent of travel, fidelity to the Bible, lucidity in its exposition, and enthusiasm for preaching the Gospel "to the Jew first and also to the Gentile" are a criterion, then Mr. Blacfystone must be counted among the first of missionaries in the generation to which he belongs. The story of the circulation of the Word of God and other devotional literature under his personal super- vision in China and other heathen lands, is more fascinating than any romance. A truly wonderful ministry has been his. The book speaks for itself. Its treasures are beyond estimate. Its careful and prayerful reading and study will bring the richest blessing to the soul. JAMES M.CRAY. Chicago, October, 1916. Copyright 1908, Fleming H. Revell Company APPRECIATIVE COMMENDATIONS The book, "Jesus is Coming," by W. E. B was the first book that made the coming of Jesus Christ a liv- ing reality to me. I had already become convinced that our Lord's coming would be before the millennium, having reached that conclusion in studying the works of the Danish theologian, Martensen, but it was merely a theological conception until I read the book "Jesus is Coming." It was this that first brought me to definite con- victions and made the doctrine not only clear, but very pre- cious. It is one of the books that has had a decidedly form- ative influence on my life and teaching. I always recommend it to those who are beginning the study of the subject. I hope that it may be as much blessed to others as it has been to me. R. A. TORREY. Dean, Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Cat. \ A number of years ago I had placed in my hands the little book, "Jesus is Coming," by W. E. B. Prior to that time I had no defined method of Bible study, and I confess with shame that I had very little passion for Bible reading and for 'he winning of souls. This book completely revolutionized my thinking, gave me a new conception of Christ and a new understanding of what it meant to work for Him. I most cordially commend it to Christian workers everywhere. J. WILBUR CHAPMAN, See Additional Testimonials on Pige 246 To my Brethren in The Christian Ministry, Dearly Beloved: Having found in over forty years' experience the "Blessed Hope" of our Lord's return to be a most precious influence in my Christian life, promoting holiness, consecration of time and substance, and intense activity in our Master's service, I humbly commend it to each of you for personal comfort, and as meat in due season to preach to your congregations. Let me emphasize the plain exhortations of the Holy Spirit, "These things speafy" Titus 2:15; "Comfort one another with these words" \ Thes. 4:18. Oh! Brethren! There are tens of thousands sitting under your ministry who would be comforted by the simple testimony of the Scriptures on this all important subject. ThanJf Cod there are many f^ho do exalt this truth, but how it must grieve the Master to see the multitude of preachers who are indifferent to his promised return, and eliminate the "comfort" which he has commanded and which the masses need. Thirty-nine years ago I was providentially led to issue the first edition of "Jesus Is Coming," which has been followed by numerous editions totaling over three hundred and fifty thousand copies with translations into twenty-five different languages encircling the world. Most rapturously do I praise our coming Bridegroom that he has let his "errand boy" have so wide a testimony. With all my heart in this my seventy-sixth year do I im- plore you to read this book- Many have testified that it has made the Bible a new booff to them. May it be so to you, and may we all, some day, rejoice together with Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Knox, and the Wesleys, singing Charles' beautiful hymns as a welcome to our descending Lord. Yours in patient waiting. 5425 Pasadena Ave., WM. E. BLACKSTONE. Los Angeles, Cal, Jan., 1917. Acknowledgment of receipt of book mailed to above address will be appreciated. If you already have a copy kindly pass this on to one to whom you think it may be helpful. THE SECOND ADVENT Lo! He comes, with clouds descending, Once for favored sinners slain; Thousand thousand saints attending, Swell the triumph of his train; Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign. Every eye shall now behold him Eobed in dreadful majesty; Those who set at naught and sold him, Pierced and nailed him to the tree, Deeply wailing Shall the true Messiah see. . All the tokens of his passion Still his dazzling body bears, Cause of endless exultation To his ransomed worshipers; With what rapture Gaze we on those glorious scars. Tea, Amen! let all adore thee, High on thy eternal throne; Savior, take the power and glory; Claim the kingdom for thine own: Jah ! Jehovah ! Everlasting God, come down! Charles Wesley. Preface to the Third Revision. We dedicate this book to those who "love our Lord's appearing." It has been our prayerful desire to furnish, in abbreviated form, a hand book that might serve as a con- venient reference in the study of this truth, and as an aid in the presentation of it to others. We gratefully acknowledge the blessing of God, which has rested upon it so that it has passed through many editions and also been issued in twelve foreign languages.* We have no desire for controversy, but have only sought to testify our convictions regarding the scriptural importance of this subject, and to aid candid inquirers in obtaining "like precious faith with us." After continued, earnest and prayerful study, we are more than ever confirmed in the faith that Christ's coming will be pre-millennial, and this all important point we would emphasize, if possible, with the zeal and earnestness manifested by the early disciples, who repeatedly taught us to look for Jesus. Phil. 3:20; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 2 Pet. 3:14. We would not be dogmatic concerning the order of events which cluster about our Lord's return and, should any hold views different from what we have set forth as the result of our study, we will cordially strike hands with them if we may unite upon the great fact that His return will be pre- miilennial and that the time of it is uncertain and imminent (Matt. 24:42); and further that this hope ("Blessed Hope," Tit. 2:13) begets a purifying separating power in the heart, winning us unto holiness, love and service. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thes. 5:23-24. For the kind criticism and helpful suggestions of breth- ren dearly beloved we express our sincere thanks, and we humbly pray for the continued blessing of "the Coming One." W. E. B. * Now twenty-five foreign languages. (5) CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page Jvavs is COMING 11 "I don't care anything about it! " 12 The true incentive to a holy life 14 "Oh, that's Second Adventism" 15 "It don't concern me," etc 16 Its Importance in the Word Practical 17, 116 Forty statements showing its practical character.. .180 We are not "speculating" 19 CHAPTER II. LITERARY INTERPRETATION Luke, 1 : 31-33 20 Conversation between a Christian and a Jew 20 Symbols, figures and allegories 21 "Spiritualizing" subverts the authority and power of the Word, and saps the foundation of every Christian doctrine Purpose of language 22 Prophecies literally fulfilled at His first coming 23 Prophecies to be literally fulfilled at His second coming 24 CHAPTER III. His COMING DOES NOT MEAN DEATH 26 Death is an enemy 26 It will not apply in Scripture referring to His coming 28 Intermediate state of the dead 29 Dr. David Brown's testimony 30 Substituting death for His coming degrades the doctrine of the resurrection 31 We are not taught to watch for death, but for Christ's Coming Search the Scriptures 31 CHAPTER IV. THE THREE APPEABINGS 33 His departure and His promise 34 The Lord's Supper, a token 34 The very Pole Star of the Church 35 Believed by the Fathers, and its History 35, 66 Origen and his "spiritualizing" error 36 CONTENTS. 7 CHAPTER V. p a g e THE MILLENNIUM 37 CHAPTER VI. POST-MlLLENNIALISM 41 The principal question, Is the coming to be Pre- Millennial or Post-Millennial? 41 CHAPTER VII. AWJUMENTS SHOWING THE COMING TO BE PBE-MILLENNIAL No. 1. Antichrist 43 No. 2. Immediately after the Tribulation 43 No. 3. Persecuted Church 44 No. 4. Tares and Wheat 44 No. 5. Literal Reign of Christ 46 No. 6. Argument from Order of the Resurrection . . 47 Order of the Resurrection, 1 Cor. 15 : 22-26 . . 48 Dead in Christ rise first, 1 Thes. 4:13-17... 48 The First Resurrection, Rev. 20:4-14. .. .48, 62 His Coming Before the Millennium 49 Objections to literal first resurrection con- sidered 1. No right thus to aggregate texts ... 50 2. Only souls mentioned in Rev. 20:4.. 50 3. Spiritual life in Paradise 52 4. Only the beheaded mentioned, etc... 52 5. Last day, = 1000 years 54 6. Mentioned in same verse, therefore just and unjust rise simultaneously 55 7. Only one passage 57 Dean Alford's comment 58 Resurrection from the Dead 59 Argument from the Greek text 59 No. 7. Watching 63 Continue to Watch "A Little While" 65 The Faith of the Early Church 66 Hold the traditions (teachings), 2 Thes. 2:15 Apostles not mistaken 69 Early Christians did not hold false hope. . . 69 We must watch as they did 70 8 JESUS IS COMING. CHAPTER VIII. Page DIAGRAM OUTLINE OF EVENTS, AND EXPLANATIONS 72 CHAPTER W.. THJE RAPTURE AND THE REVELATION DISTINGUISHED 75 CHAPTER X. THE CHURCH AND THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM DISTINGUISHED 83 The Church A distinct body (eKKX^om Assembly) . 83 A Mystery, 89; A Virgin of Sorrow 90 To be rewarded 93 The Kingdom is the manifestation cf the glory of Christ and His saints 83 Its manifestation is still future 84 It is now hid in mystery 86 Explanation of its coming "nigh" or being "at hand" when Christ came 88 Nominal Christians 94 The True Church The Body of Christ 95 The Bride of Christ 96, 202 CHAPTER XI. THE TRIBULATION, THE RESURRECTION AND THE JUDGMENT. 98 The Resurrection 99 Four Judgments 103 CHAPTER XII. THE ANTICHRIST 107 CHAPTER XIII. THE PRINCIPAL EVENT 113 The Pre-Millennial Coming 113 Post-Millennial Questionings 113 Pre- vs. PoslrMillennialism 114 Preach the Word Comfort One Another 115 Solemn Warning 116 Pre-Millennialism, Vital and Inspiring 116 CHAPTER XIV. SOME OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. No. 1. It discourages Missions US No. 2. It discourages Work 119 No. 3. Too many unsaved friends 119 No. 4. "My kingdom is not of this world" 120 No. 5. "The Kingdom of God is within you" 17 CONTENTS. 9 Page No. 6. "The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink" 124 No. 7. "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the King- dom," etc 125 No. 8. It disparages the work of the Holy Spirit.. 129 No. 9. It makes the Gospel a failure 131 No. 10. The Gospel not preached in all the world . . 132 When the Witness is complete 133 Only God Knows 134 No. 11. "There be some standing here," Mat. 16: 28.. 135 "Spiritual" Coming, "Typical" Coming 135 Some of them did see the Kingdom 138 Peter saw it 139 John saw it Paul saw it 140 "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel." Mat. 10:23 141 No. 12. Gloomy view of the future 142 "The days are evil" 144 Cannot average Church and World 145 Triumphs of Art and Science do not argue an increase in Godliness 147 The World not Growing Better 148 Civilization and Refinement not the source of Holiness 150 Is the Church Progressing? 151 The Light and the Salt of the World 151 Loosing the Saltness 152 The Parables of Mat. 13 152 The Faithful Remnant 156 No. 13. Cruel to the unsaved millions 158 This World dies every 33 years 158 No. 14. Israel the generation which passes not away 160 CHAPTER XV. ISRAEL TO BE RESTOEED 162 The Second Time ' 167 Permanent Restoration 169 All Nations shall flow unto Israel 169 They shall "Lock upon Me" 170 10 JESUS IS COMING. Page The Cleansing of Israel 171 Confusing Israel with the Church 172 The Day of Jacob's Trouble 174 CHAPTER XVI. THE STUDY OF PROPHECY 177 The best weapon to meet Sophistry and Skepticism. 17 9 CHAPTER XVII. A PRACTICAL DOCTRINE 180 CHAPTER XVIII. OUTLINE OF THE ORDEB OF EVENTS 183, 195 References to Principal Passages 196 CHAPTER XIX. ANATHEMA OR COMFORT 199 Jesus Christ Coming in the Flesh \ 200 The Sweetest Comfort 201 CHAPTER XX. THE TIME , 207 The Jews Returning 210 Watchman, What of the Night? 213 CHAPTER XXI. PLAN OF THE AIONS (AGES) 218 The Time of the End 224 Diagram 225 CHAPTER XXII. SIGNS OF CHRIST'S SPEEDY COMING 228 1. The Prevalence of Travel and Knowledge. . .228 2. Perilous Times 230 3. Spiritualism 231 4. Apostacy 231 5. World Wide Evangelism 232 6. Rich Men .234 7. Israel 234 8. Zionism 236 Watch .- 242 Ye Shall be Witnesses 243 Missionary Periodicals 244 Appreciative Commendations 3, 246 Textual Index 249 Jesus is Coming. CHAPTER I. Jesus is Coming Again. Reader, do you know that Jesus is coming again? He said, "I will come again" (John 14:3) and His word endureth forever, 1 for He is the truth. 2 The angels said He would come again. "The same Je- sus," "and in like manner," 3 and they were not mistaken when they announced His first coming.* The Holy Spirit, by the mouth of the apostles, hath re- peatedly said He would come again. 5 Is not such an event, stated upon such authority, of vital importance to us? (1) 1 Pet. 1:25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this Is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (2) John 14 :6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life : no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (3) Acts 1:11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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. (4) Lu. 1:26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27. To a virgin e&poused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David ; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28. And the angel came In unto her, and said, Hail thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee : blessed art thou among women. 30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary : for thou hast found favour with God. 31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High ; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. 33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall b no end. See also Lu. 2 :8-18. (5) 1 Thes. 4:16. For tha Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first : Heb. 9 :28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many ; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb. 10:37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will coine, and will not tarry. (11) 12 JESUS IS COMING. At His first coming, the world rejected Him. He was the despised Nazarene. But when He comes again, He will ap- pear as "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords." 6 He is coming to sit upon the throne of His glory, 7 and to be admired in all them that believed, 8 and to rule, in judgment and equity, all the nations of the earth. 9 How glorious it will be to see the King in His beauty. 10 Perhaps you are not a Christian, and say "I Don't Care Anything About It." Then, dear friend, we point you to the crucified Savior as the only hope of salvation. We beg of you to ''kiss the Son," lest ye perish from the way. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him. 11 What shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and (6) 1 Tim. 6 :13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ 14. That thou keep this com- mandment without spot, un- rebukeable, until the appear- ing of our Lord Jesus Christ : 15. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. (7) Mat. 25:31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. (8) 2 Thes. 1:10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was be- lieved) in that day. (9) Psa. 2 :9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron ; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Isa. 9 :6. For unto us a child Is born, unto us a son is given : and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7. Of the increase of his gov- ernment and peace there shall ~be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Rev. 2 :25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations : 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron ; as the ves- sels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers : even as I received of my Father. (10) Isa. 33 :17. Thine eyes shall see the King in his' beauty ; they shall behold the land that is very far off. (11) Psa. 2:12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. "EIB8 THE SON." 13 lose your own soul? 12 He is coming, and we know neither the day, nor the hour, when He may come. 13 What it Ho should come now? Would you be found of Him in peace, 14 or would you be left behind to endure the terrible things which shall come upon the world, 15 while the church is with Christ in the air, 16 and be made at His appearing 17 to mourn 18 and pray to the mountains and rocks to hide you from His face? 19 "Prepare to meet thy God," was the solemn injunction to Israel (Amos 4:12), and every one of us, both Jew and Gentile, must meet Him, either in grace or in judgment. We, then, as ambassadors for Christ, beseech you: be ye (12) Mat. 16:26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels ; and then he shall reward every man accord- ing to his works. (13) Mat. 25:13. Watch therefore ; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (14) 2 Pet. 3:14. Where- fore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blame- less. (15) Luke 21:25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars ; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity ; the sea and the waves roaring ; 26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth : for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (16) Luke 21:36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 1 Thes. 4:17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (17) 2 Thes. 1:7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8. In flaming flre taking ven- geance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gos- pel of our Lord Jesus Christ : 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power ; 10. When he shall come to ba glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that be- lieve (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (18) Mat. 24:30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven : and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (19) Rev. 6:16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. JESUS 18 COMING. reconciled to God, 20 now, in the accepted time, in the day of salvation. 21 Do let us entreat you to repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, 22 and that you may turn "to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven," 23 and be unblamable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 But if you are a Christian, then we point you to Hia coming again, as The True Incentive to a Holy Life. 25 Jesus is coming, therefore mortify your members which (20) 2 Cor. 5:20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) 2 Cor. 6:2. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee : behold, now is the ac- cepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Luke 14:31. Or what king, going to make war against an- other king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambas'sage, and desireth con- ditions of peace. 33. So likewise, whosoever iic be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (22) Acts 10:42. And he commandeth us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordatned of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43. To him give all the proph- ets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission ol eins. Acts 17 :30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at ; but now commandeth all men every where to repent : 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteous- ness by that man whom he bath ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from tho dead. (23) 1 Thes. 1:9. For they themselves shew of us what man- ner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God ; 10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (24) 1 Thes. 3:13. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (25) 1 John 3 :2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God| and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifleth him- self, even as he is pure- THE SECOND ADVENT. 15 are upon the earth, that you may appear with Him in glory. 26 Strive and pray for purity of heart, that you may "be like Him and see Him as He is." 27 Search the Word, that you may be sanctified and cleansed thereby, 28 and that your whole spirit, and soul, and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 29 But possibly you say, with contempt, "Oh, That's Second Adventism." Beloved, have you considered that Moses, 80 David, 31 Isaiah, 32 Jeremiah, 33 Daniel, 34 Zecariah, 35 all the prophets (26) Col. 3:4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5. Mortify therefore your mem- bers which are upon the earth ; fornication, uncleanness, inor- dinate affection, evil concu- piscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (27) Mat. 5 :8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 1 John 3 :2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth him- self, even as he Is pure. (28) Eph. 5:26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. (29) 1 Thes. 5:23. And *he very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (30) Deut. 33:2. And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them ; he shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints : from bis right hand went a fiery law for them. (31) Psa. 102:16. When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. (32) Isa. 59:20. And the Re- deemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. Isa. 60:1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (33) Jer. 23:5. Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a right- eous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall ex- ecute judgment and justice in the earth. 6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely : and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (34) Dan. 7 :13. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (35) Zech. 14:4. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is be- fore Jerusalem on the east ; and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and 16 JESUS IS COMING. and apostles, 36 were believers in the second advent of Christ? And because some, by setting dates, and other errors, have brought disrepute upon this doctrine, shall we cast it aside altogether? But it may be you say (as we have been pained to hear from so many even earnest Christians) : "Well, I Don't Think It Concerns Me Much, Anjrway; I've always thought that in most cases it meant death, and if I'm prepared for death, that's enough; and there is too much speculation about it to suit me; and I don't believe it's a practical doctrine; and, more than that, I think it's a mistake to pay so much attention to it." Yes, even thus do many Christians, who profess to be members of the body of Christ, 37 and who have been espoused unto one husband, that they may be presented to Him 38 summarily dispose of this precious truth, that Jesus is coming, to take unto Himself His bride. 39 0, beloved, do not thus deprive yourself of this comfort- ing truth. Please take your pencil and mark in your Bible the passages that pertain to it; and see there shall be a very great val- all the Gentiles, upon whom my ley ; and half of the mountain name is called, saith the Lord, .shall remove toward the north, who doeth all these things, and half of it toward the south. (37) 1 Cor. 12:27. Now ye 5. And ye shall flee to the are the body of Christ, and mem- valley of the mountains ; for the bers in particular, valley of the mountains shall (38) 2 Cor. 11:2. For I am reach unto Azal : yea, ye shall jealous over you with godly flee, like as ye fled from before jealousy : for I have espoused the earthquake in the days of you to cue husband, that I may Uzziah king of Judah : and the present you as a chaste virgin Lord my God shall come, and all to Christ, the saints with thee. (39) John 14:3. And if I go (36) Acts 15:15. And to this and prepare a place for you, I agree the words of the prophets ; wil1 come again, and receive you as it is written, uato myself ; that where I am, there ye may be also. 16. After this I will return, Eph 5 :23 For the hu3band ls and will build again the taber- the head of the wife> even as nacle of David, which is fallen Christ Is the head of the caurch : down; and I will build again and he ls the Saviour of the the ruins thereof, and I will set body. Jt U P : 32. This is a great mystery: 17. That the residue of men but I speak concerning Christ might seek after the Lord, and and the church. IMPORTANCE IN THE WORD. 17 How Large a Portion of the Word Is Devoted to It. If the Holy Ghost has deemed it so important, is it not worthy of our attention? The Word exhorts us 40 to give attention to it; 41 and the danger of condemnation is to them who do not. 42 Again, please to examine the passages cited under the heading, "A Practical Doctrine/' on page 180 and see how Jesus and the apostles used this doctrine to incite us to watchfulness, repentance, patience, ministerial faithfulness, brotherly love, etc., and then decide whether anything could be more practical. Surely no doctrine, in the Word of God, presents a deeper motive for crucifying the flesh, and for separation unto (4.0) 1 Thes. 4:18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Cor. 1:7. So that ye come behind in no gift ; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ : (41) Rev. 1:3. 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. (42) Luke 12:45. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming ; and shall begin to beat the men- servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken ; 46. The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. Luke 21 :34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time yo\i7 hearts be overcharged -with sur- feiting, and drunkenness, and cares of ttSs life, and so that *w-ccme upon you unawares. "5. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be ac- counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 1 Thes. 5 :1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know per- fectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3. For when they shall iay. Peace and safety ; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children cf ihe day : vt ar not of the eight, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others ; but let us watch and be sober. 7. For they that sleep sleep in the night ; and they that be drunken are drunken in th* night. 18 JESUS IS COMING. God, and to work for souls, as our hope and joy and crown of rejoicing 43 than this does. For the whole teaching of it is, that our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence, also, we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body. 4 * It awakens groaning for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 45 It gives us a view of the world, as a wrecked vessel, 48 (43) 1 Thes'. :19. For what is our hope, or Joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Dan. 12 :3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (44) Phil. 3 :20. For our con- versation is in heaven ; from Whence also we look , for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, ac- cording to the working where- by he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (45) Rom. 8:23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves 1 , waiting for the adoption, to wit, the re- demption of our body. Luke 21 :28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads ; for your redemption draweth nigh. (46) Matt. 7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate : for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat : 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 1 Thes. 5 :3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety ; then sudden destruction cometn upon them, as 1 travail upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape. 2 Pet. 2 :3. And through cov- etousness shall they with feigned words made merchandise of you : whose Judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4. For if God spared not th* angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment ; 5. And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteous- ness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly ; 6. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an over- throw, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly ; 7. And delivered Just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversa- tion of the wicked : 8. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in see- ing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds : ) 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temp- tation, and to reserve the un- just unto the day of judgment to be punished : 2 Pet. 5 :5. For this they will- ingly are ignorant of, that by SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. 19 and stimulates us to work with all our might that we may save some. 47 Most, if not all, of the evangelists of our day are animated by this doctrine, and surely their work is practical. Again, Peter says, "We have a more sure word of proph- ecy*, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed (as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise) in your hearts" ;* 8 t and he exhorts us to be mindful of these words. 49 Therefore we are not speculating when we prayerfully study prophecy. *Gr. We have the prophetic word more confirmed. tSee Tregelles' punctuation. the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth stand- ing out of the water and in the water : 6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished : 7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 3. But, beloved, be not igno- rant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thou- sand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not slack con- cerning his promise, as some men count slackness ; but is " ~igsuflering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night : in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fer- vent heat? (47) 1 Cor. 9:22. To the weak became I weak ; that I might gain the weak : I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (48) 2 Pet, 1:19. We have also a more sure word of proph- ecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day- star arise in your hearts : (49) 2 Pet. 3:1. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you ; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of re- membrance : 2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken be- fore by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Sa- vior. CHAPTER II. Literal Interpretation. Perhaps you ask, "Are not these prophecies to be inter- preted 'spiritually'? And does not this 'coming' mean our acceptance of Him at conversion, and the witness of the spirit? Or does it not mean His reign over the Church?" etc. No! Not at all. Think a moment. Do you condemn the Jews for rejecting Christ, when He came in such literal fulfillment of prophecy, and yet reject the same literalness ahout his second coming? This is not consistent, and while we believe Luke 1 :31, to be literally true, let us believe likewise in regard to verses 32" and 33. Luke 1:31-33. "31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. "32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest : and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father, David. "33. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for- ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end/' The inconsistency of accepting literally verse 31, and 'spiritualizing' 32 and 33, is clearly illustrated by the fol- lowing account of a conversation between a Christian #"*. ister and a Jew: "Taking a New Testament and opening it at Luke 1:32, the Jew asked: 'Do you believe that what is here written shall be literally accomplished, The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father, David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever?' 'I do not,' an- swered the clergyman, 'but rather take it to be figurative language, descriptive of Christ's spiritual reign over the Church.' *' 'Then,' replied the Jew, 'neither do I believe literally the (20). LITERAL INTERPRETATION. 21 words preceding, which say that this Son of David should be born of a virgin ; but take them to be merely a figurative manner of describing the remarkable character for purity of him who is the subject of the prophecy.' 'But why/ continued the Jew, 'do you refuse to believe literally verses 32 and 33, while you believe implicitly the far more incredi- ble statement of verse 31?' 'I believe it,' replied the clergy- man, 'because it is a fact,' 'Ah!' exclaimed the Jew, with an inexpressible air of scorn and triumph, 'You believe Scripture because it is a fact; I believe it because it is the Word of God.' " And now, dear reader, was not the argument of the Jew candid and forcible? There are symbols, figures or tropes, metaphors, etc., used in Scripture and there are, also, al- legories. But, unless they are so stated in the text, or plainly indicated in the context, we should hold only to the literal sense. The words of Christ in 1 John 7:38 we are told in the very next verse were spoken "of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive." The allegory in Gal. 4:24-31 2 in no possible manner detracts from the literal sense of Scripture, but on the contrary it confirms it. We know that both Hagar and Sarah had a literal physical existence. Mt. Sinai and Jeru- salem are literal. We have a literal Christ, the mediator of the new cove- nant. 3 And so we believe that the Jerusalem which is (1) John 7:38. He that be- eth to bondage, which is Agar. lieveth on me, as the Scripture 2 5. For this Agar is mount hath said, out of his belly shall Sinai in Arabia, and answereth flow rivers of living water. t o Jerusalem which now is, and 39. (But this spake he of the is in bondage with her children. Spirit, which they that believe 26. But Jerusalem which is on him should receive : for the above is free, which is the Holy Ghost was not yet given; mother of us all. because that Jesus was not yet (JJ) Heb ^ .^ ^ ^ Je _ 4:24. Whicl i things ^ T H two u , o Ae the mount Sinai, which gender- thmgs man tnat ' Abel> 22 JESUS IS COMING. above," of which Sarah is typical "the heavenly Jeru- salem,"* "the new Jerusalem which cometh down out "of heaven from God," 5 is also literal, tangible and real. How then, are we authorized, from such examples as these (which are most prominent among those cited by Post-millennial- 4sts as authority for "spiritualizing"), to do away with the literal sense of Luke 1:32-33, or of the multitude of passages which predict the restoration of Israel, the com- ing of Christ, or which describe His glorious Kingdom? There can be no warrant for it. It subverts the authority and power of the Word of God, and Post-millennialists, by so doing, open wide the door for skeptics and latitudina- rians of all descriptions. There are a portion of the Israel- ites in the present day who style themselves "reformed" or * ' liberal. ' ' They likewise spiritualize the Old Testament prophecies and have therefore ceased to look for any literal Messiah. One of them not long since said to the writer "the nineteenth century is the Messiah," and this absurd doctrine is now quite generally preached in their principal congregations. That even Jews should thus join with Gen- tiles in "spiritualizing" Scripture, is a marvelous sign of the times in which we live. ["When the Son of Man cometh shall He find (the) faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8.] Why! the same process of spiritualizing away the literal sense of these plain texts of Scripture will sap the founda- tion of every Christian doctrine and leave us to drift into absolute infidelity, or the vagaries of Swedenborgianism. What is the purpose of language, if not to convey definite ideas? Surely the Holy Spirit could have chosen words (4) Heb. 12 :22. But ye are and I will write upon Mm my come unto mount Sion, and unto new name, the city of the living God, the R gl 2 fl heavenly Jerusalem, and to an th Jerusalem, innumerable company o angels com ing dow/'from God out of ov r'comlrh wm^ ma? P m Jj* fTTln ? ^^ in the temple of my God, and adorned for her hus band. he shall go no more out : and I 10. And he carried me away will write upon him the name of In the spirit to a great and high my God, and the name of the mountain, and shewed me that city of my God, which is new great city, the holy Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which cometh down descending out of heaven from out of heaven from my God: God. LITERAL INTERPRETATION. 23 to convey His thoughts correctly. Indeed it is all summed up in the inquiry of a little child, "If Jesus didn't mean what He said, why didn't He say what He meant?" But we believe that He did mean what He said, and that His words will "not pass away." Mat. 24 :35. He said that He came "not to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill," and "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Mat. 5:17-18. Prophecies Literally Fulfilled at the First Coming. If He came and literally fulfilled the prophecies of a suf- fering Messiah, Psa. 22, Isa. 53, etc., will He not as surely come and likewise fulfill the prophecies of a glorified Mes- siah reigning in victory and majesty"? Psa. 2 ; 72 ; Dan. 7 : 13-14, Isa. 9; 11; 60, etc. Think of the many prophecies descriptive of a suffering Messiah, which we have seen literally fulfilled, and upon which we rest, as such strong evidence for the truth and inspiration of the Word, to wit: Isa. 7:14 Born of a virgin. Mic. 5 :2 At Bethlehem. Jer. 31:15 Slaughter of the children., Hos. 11:1 Called out of Egypt. Isa. 11 :2 Anointed with the Spirit. Zech. 9 :9 Entry into Jerusalem. Psa. 41 :9 ; 55 : 12-14 Betrayed by a friend. Zech. 13 :7 Disciples forsake Him. " 11:12 Sold for thirty pieces of silver. " 11 :13 Potter's field bought. Isa. 50:6 Spit on and scourged. Ex. 12:46; Psa. 34:20 Not a bone broken. Psa. 69:21 Gall and vinegar. Psa. 22 Hands and feet pierced. Garments parted lots cast. Isa. 53 Poverty, suffering, patience, and death. And many other passages. All these were literally fulfilled when Christ came. Do not, then, reject the literal fulfillment of those numerous prophecies which describe His future coming, and His glorious reign upon the earth. Namely: 24 JESUS IS COMING. Prophecies to be Literally Fulfilled at the Second Coming. That He shall come Himself, 1 Thes. 4 :16, That He shall shout, 1 Thes. 4:16. That the dead will hear His voice, John 5 :28. That the raised and changed believers will be caught up to meet Him in the air, 1 Thes. 4 :17. That He will receive them unto Himself, John 14:3. That He will minister unto His watching servants, Lu. 12 :37. That He will come 'to the earth again, Acts 1 :11. To the same Mount Olivet from which He as- cended, Zech. 14:4. In flaming fire, 2 Thes. 1 :8. In the clouds of heaven with power and great glory,- Mat. 24 :30 ; 1 Pet. 1 :7 ; 4 :13. And stand upon the earth, Job 19 :25. That His saints (the Church) shall come with Him, Deut. 33:2; 1 Thes. 3:13; Jude 14. That every eye shall see Him, Rev. 1 :7. That He shall destroy Antichrist, 2 Thes. 2:8. That He shall sit in His throne, Mat. 25:31; Rev. 5:13. That all nations will be gathered before Him, and He will judge them, Mat. 25 :32. That He shall have the throne of David, Isa. 9:6-7; Lu. 1:32; Ezek. 21:25-27. That it will be upon the earth, Jer. 23 :5-6. That He shall have a kingdom, Dan. 7 :13-14. And. rule over it with His saints, Dan. 7:18-22-27; Rev. 5:10. That all kings and nations shall serve Him, Psa. 72:11; Isa. 49:6-7; Rev. 15:4. That the kingdoms of this world shall become His kingdom, Zech. 9:10; Rev. 11:15. That the people shall gather unto Him, Gen. 49 :10. That every knee shall bow to Him, Isa. 45 :23. That they shall come and worship the King, Zech. 14:16; Psa. 86:9. That He shall build up Zion, Psa. 102:16. LITERAL INTERPRETATION. 25 That His throne shall be in Jerusalem, Jer. 3:17; Isa. 33:20-21. That the Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, judg- ing the twelve tribes of Israel, Mat. 19:28; Lu. 22:28-30. That He shall rule all nations, Psa. 2 :8-9 ; Rev. 2 :27. That He shall rule with judgment and justice, Isa. 9 :7. That the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt (Ezek. chapters 40-48), and the glory of the Lord will come into it, Ezek. 43 :2-5 ; 44 :4. That the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, Isa. 40 :5. That the wilderness shall be a fruitful field, Isa. 32 :15. That the desert will blossom as the rose, Isa. 35 :l-2. And His rest shall be glorious, Isa. 11:10. And many more we might mention. Surely, there is no symbolism in these plain prophecies, which gives us any authority to "spiritualize" them. Rather let us expect that He will as literally fulfill these as He did the others at His first coming. CHAPTER HI. His Coming Does Not Mean Death. His first coming did not mean death to the Jews, and they did not so understand it; neither does His second coming mean death to Christians, nor should they so un- derstand it. Jesus makes a clear distinction between death and His coming in John 21. l He tells Peter how he should die, and then, by contrast, He speaks of John, saying: "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" That is, that John might not die, but live till Jesus should come again. The disciples so understood it, and reported that he should not die. Death is an enemy, 2 and at Christ's coming we are raised from the dead, and shout victory over death and the grave. "0 Death, where is thy sting? Hades, where is thy vic- tory?" 3 (1) John 21:18. Verily, ver- ily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thy- self, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this he saith unto him, Follow me. 20. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following ; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22. Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. 23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die : yet Jesus' said not unto him, He shall not die ; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (2) 1 Cor. 15:26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (3) 1 Cor. 15:23. But every man in his own order : Christ the flrstfruits ; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (28) NOT DEATH. If we are faithful unto death (that is, though faithful- ness cost us our lives) He has promised us a crown 4 but we do not receive it until He comes. 8 Nothing is promised us at death, except to be at rest* in Paradise. 7 But we are promised all things in the resur- rection, when Jesus comes. 8 Therefore we find Paul yearning for this resurrection. 9 He did not want to be unclothed by death but clothed upon by the resurrection. 10 (4) Rev. 2 :10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer : behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ten days : be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (5) 2 Tim. 4:8. 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. 1 Pet. 5 :4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (6) 2 Thes. 1 :7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be re- vealed from heaven with his mighty angels. Rev. 14 :13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, s'aith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them. (7) Luke 16:22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels i-nto Abraham's bosom : the rich man also died, and was buried. Luke 23 :43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (8) Luke 14:14. And thou shalt be blessed ; for they can- not recompense thee : for thou shalt be recompensed at the res- urrection of the just Luke 20 :35. But they which shall be accounted worthy to ob- tain that world, and the resur- rection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in mar- riage: 36. Neither can they die any more : for they are equal unto the angels ; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Rom. 8 :32. He that spared Dot his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (9) Phil. 3:11. If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. (10) 2 Cor. 5 :4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened : not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 1 Cor. 15 :51. Behold, I shew you a mystery ; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. So when this corruptible 28 JESUS IS COMING. Let any one insert "death" in the passages which speak of Christ's coming and he will see that it will not apply. For instance: "For 'death' shall come in the glory of His Father." Mat. 16:27. "When 'death' shall sit in the throne of His glory." Mat. 19 :28. "Hereafter shall ye see 'death' sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Mat. 26 :64. "Behold he (death) cometh with clouds and every eye shall see Him." Rev. 1 :7. "For our conversation is in heaven, from whence, also, we look for 'death.' " Phil. 3 :20. If the reader thinks that these are exceptional passages, we beg of you to try it in other Scripture referring to His coming. The only possible similarity consists in analogy viz. : in the fact that we do not know the time when we shall die. But thanks be to God, we may not die at all, for "We shall not all sleep." 1 Cor. 15 :51. There will be one generation, at least, who will realize that the coming of our Lord is not death. And if it is not admissible to say "for 'death,' himself, shall descend from heaven with a shout" (1 Thes. 4:16), neither is it admissible to say, "Watch, therefore; for ye know not what hour 'death' doth come." Mat. 24:42. For, by such wresting of Scripture, we jostle this promi- nent truth, of our Lord's advent, into the back-ground, and substitute therefor the 'grim monster,' death. Death Is Not Practically the Coining of the Lord. It is assuming too much, to say that death is practically, to the believer, the coming of the Lord. For we do not know it, and the Scriptures do not assert it. On the con- trary, the events which occur, as the Scriptures teach us, when the Lord comes, do not occur at the death of a Chris- tian. The dead are not then raised, nor are the living be- fchall have put on incorruption, brought to pass the saying that and this mortal shall have put Is written, Death is swallowed on immortality, then shall be UD in victory NOT DEATH. 29 lievers changed, as they will be when the Lord conies. We know very little about Hades or the intermediate state of the dead. It is probably true that, since the resurrection of our Lord, the souls of believers, at death, go to a Paradise above, so that Paul could say "absent from the body, pres- ent with the Lord." 2 Cor. 5:8. But it would appear, from Rev. 6 rQ-ll, 11 that certain of the departed souls yearn for the execution of Judgment, which occurs when the Lord comes. 12 Spiritually, the believer is with Christ now, and always, 13 but, to be with Christ, bodily, 14 is only to be at- tained by the resurrection, at His coming. 15 Therefore, it (11) Rev. 6:9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testi- mony which they held : 10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying. How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not Judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them ; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow serv- ants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (12) 1 Cor. 4:5. Therefore Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts : and then shall every man have prais'e of God. 2 Tim. 4 :1. I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the liv- ing and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom : Rev. 11 :18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be Judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great ; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Also Mat. 25 : 31-40. (13) John 14:23. Jesus an- swered and said unto him. If a man love me. he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we will Come unto him, and make our abode with him. Mat. 28 :20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (1*) John 12:26. If any man serve me, let him follow me ; and where I am, there shall also my servant be : if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 17:24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am ; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me : for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (15) John 14 :3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 1 Thes. 4 :17. Then we which are alive and remain shall bo caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we erer be with the Lord. 30 JESUS IS COMING. is entirely unscriptural to instruct the believer to look for death, as being synonymous with, or equivalent to, the Lord's coming. Dr. David Brown's Testimony. Rev. David Brown, although a prominent Post-millenial- ist, recognizes this and he says : "The coming of Christ to individuals at death however warrantably we may speak so, and whatever profitable considerations it may suggest is not fitted for taking that place in the view of the be- liever which Scripture assigns to the Second Advent." And he very properly illustrates by the following passages: " 'Let not your heart be troubled (said Jesus to his sor- rowing disciples) : In my Father's house are many man- sions ; I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go away' What then? 'Ye shall soon follow me? Death shall short- ly bring us together?' Nay; but 'If I go away, I will come again and receive you unto myself ; that where I am there ye may be also.' John 14:3. " 'And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven, this same Jesus which is taken up, from you into heaven shall' "What? Take you home soon to him- self at death? Nay, but shall 'so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.' Acts 1 :10-11." "And," he adds, "how know we that by jostling this event (the Advent) out of its scriptural place in the ex- pectations of thej Church, we are not, in a great degree, de- stroying its character and power as a practical principle? Can we not believe, though unable to trace it, that God's methods are ever best ; and that as in nature, so perhaps in revelation, a modification by us of the divine arrangements, apparently slight, and attended even with some seeming advantages, may be followed by a total and unexpected change of results, the opposite of what is anticipated and desired? So we fear it to be here."* We would that we had space to quote more, for we admire this frank admis- * Second Advent, pages 21, 22. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES. 31 sion that death is not the coming of our Lord from one who labors so hard to support post-millennialism. Again, the substitution of death for the coming of the Lord practically degrades the grand doctrine of the resur- rection, from its lofty prominence in Scripture, to almost an unnecessary appendage. But we believe in the preaching of Jesus land the resur- rection and we look forward with joyous anticipation to the resurrection from the dead, as the time when Jesus shall give us the victory over death. 17 Oh! that Christians might realize "the grace that is to be brought unto" us (not at death but) "at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 18 Nowhere in the Savior's teachings are we commanded to watch or prepare for death. But we are commanded to watch and prepare for Christ's coming. Therefore, let us not be deceived by the thought that our great enemy, Death, is the precious coming of Jesus. So, beloved, we conclude that this glorious doctrine does* concern you. Search the Scriptures. Perhaps, you say: "I don't know much about it, and I can't understand it." But do you want to understand it? If so, God's word is open to you. The Holy Spirit will teach you. 19 He will show you things to come, 20 and these (16) Acts 4 :2. Being grieved Ing that Is written, Death is that they taught the people, and swallowed up in victory. preached through Jesus' the res- 55. O death, where is thy vic- urrection from the dead. tory? O death, where is thy Acts 17:18. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans Si An the1Se0Unt But the preached unto them Jesus, and Comfor ter, which ? the resurrection. Ghostf (17) 1 Cor. 15 :54. But when send in my name, he shall teach this corruptible shall have put you all things, and bring all on incorruption, and this mortal things to your remembrance, shall have put on immortality, whatsoever I have said unto you. then shall come to pass the say- (20) John 16:13. Howbeit JESUS 18 COMING. pages are written with the earnest desire to aid you in the study of this truth. Will you study it? Will you search for yourself, as did the noble Bereans? 21 not merely to read through this lit- tle book, but to use it simply as an index, and go to the Word, search out the passages herein referred to, read them and pray over them, until the Holy Spirit guides you into the truth? If so, we believe that you will see the light, and find comfort to your soul. Said a Christian, who had long opposed the truth of the pre-millennial coming of Christ: "I have spent the happiest night of my life, for last evening I saw the truth concerning the second coming." It filled him with joy, and he is one who has been greatly used in leading souls to Christ. May God bless and thus use you, dear reader. when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will shew you things to come. (21) Acts 17:10. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea : who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, In that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. CHAPTER IV. The Three Appearings. The grandest fact in history is that Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, has been in this world. And the most important fact of the present is that He is now in Heaven making intercession for us. 1 And the greatest prophesied event of the future is, that He is coming again. These three appearings are beautifully set forth in the- 9th of Hebrews. 2 His appearing upon earth "to put away sin by the sac- rifice of Himself." Verse 26. His entering "into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." Verse 24. "And unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time, without sin unto salvation." Verse 28. While He was here upon earth He said: "It is expe- dient for you that I go away." 3 and He went away. 4 He said, "I go to prepare a place for you." But (1) Heb. 7 :25. Wherefore he 26. For then must he often Is able also to save them to the have suffered since the founda- uttermost that come unto God tion of the world : but now once by him, seeing he ever liveth to in the end of the world hath he make intercession for them. appeared to put away sin by the Rom. 8 :34. Who is he that sacrifice of himself, condemneth? It is Christ that 28. So Christ was once offered died, yea rather, that is risen to bear the sins of many ; and again, who is even at the right unto them that look for him hand of God, who also maketh shall he appear the second time Intercession for us. without sin unto salvation. 1 John 2:1. My little chil- (3) John 16:7. Nevertheless dren, these things write I unto I tell you the truth ; It Is ex- you, that ye sin not. And if pedient for you that I go away: any man sin, we have an advo- for if I go not away, the Com- cate with the Father, Jesus forter will not come unto you ; Christ the righteous: but if I depart, I will send him (2) Heb. 9:24. For Christ is unto you. not entered into the holy places (4) Acts 1 :9. And when he made with hands, which are the had spoken these ttftngs, while figures of the true ; but Into they beheld, he was taken up, heaven itself, now to appear in and a cloud received him out of the presence of God for us : their sight. 08) 34 JESUS IS COMING. He Promised, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3. He gave us this promise as our hope and comfort while He is away. He said : "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33), "ye shall weep and lament, and... be sor- rowful...^^ I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice." Verses 20, 22. Nothing can be more comforting to the Church, the bride of Christ, 5 then this precious promise which our absent Lord has left us, that He will come and receive us unto Himself, and that we shall be with Him, to behold His glory. 6 He has given us The Lord's Supper, that we should take the bread and the cup in remembrance of Him, 7 and to show His death, till He come. 8 We have this simple and loving memorial for a continual sign of this promise during all the earthly pilgrimage of the (5) Eph. 5:25. Husbands, 31. For this cause shall a man love your -wives, even as Christ leave his father and mother, and also loved the church, and gave shall be joined unto his wife, himself for it ; and they two shall be one flesh. 26. That he might sanctify 32. This is a great mystery ; and cleanse it with the wash- but I ^peak concerning Christ ing of water by the word, and the church. 27. That he might present It (6) John 17:24. Father, I to himself a glorious church, will that they also, whom thou not having spot, or wrinkle, or hast given me, be with me where any such thing ; but that it I am ; that they may behold my should be holy and without blem- glory, which thou hast given me ; ish. for thou lovedst me before the 28. So ought men to love their foundatipn of the world. wives as their own bodies. He (7) Luke 22 :19. And he took that loveth his 1 wife loveth him- bread, and gave thanks, and self. brake it, and gave unto them, 29. For no man ever yet hated saying, This is my body which his own flesh ; but nourisheth is given for you : this do in re- and cherisheth it, even as the membrance of me. Lord the cnurch : (8) 1 Cor. 11 :26. For as 30. For we are members of often as ye eat this bread, and his body, of his flesh, and of his drink this cup, ye do shew the bones. Lord's death till he come. THE FAITH OF THE FATHERS. 35 Church, 9 and through it we look forward from the cross to His coming, when He will drink it anew with us, in His Father's kingdom, 10 at the marriage feast of the Lamb. 11 It is a constant reminder of His promise, pointing our eye of faith to His coming again; "He is faithful that promised" 12 and we are exhorte.d to have confidence and patience, that we may "receive the promise," "for yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry." Heb. 10 :35-37. One has truly said that the coming of Christ is The Very Pole Star of the Church,* and the apostle Paul calls it "That blessed hope." 1 * Jesus and the apostles and the prophets have giveu great prominence in the Scriptures to this inspiring theme. THE EAELY FATHERS and the Christian Church, for the first two centuries of our era, found in it *Rev. David Brown, D. D. (9) Heb. 11:13. These all died in faith, not having re- ceived the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 1 Pet. 2 :11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. (10). Mat. 26:29. But I say unto you, I will not drink hence- forth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (11) Mat. 22:2. The king- dom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a mar- riage for his son. Rev. 19 :9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the mar- riage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Also Luke 14:16-24. (12) Heb. 10 :22. Let us draw near with a true heart in ful. ness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil con- science : and having our body washed with pure water, 23. Let us hold fast the con- fession of our hope that it waver not ; for he is faithful that prom- ised: 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works ; 25. Not forsaking our own as- sembling together, as the cus- tom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day draw- ing nigh. (13) Tit. 2:13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glo- rious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 36 JESUS IS COMING. their chief source of hope and cemfort. The belief that Jesus was coming in glory to reign with His saints on the earth, during the Millennium, was almost universal with them. But in the third century there arose a school of inter- preters, headed by Origen, who so "spiritualized" the Scriptures that they ceased to believe in any literal Millen- nium whatsoever. Their system of interpretation has been severely condemned by Martin Luther, Dr. Adam Clarke and other commentators. When Constantino was converted and the Roman em- pire became, nominally, Christian, it appeared to many that the Millennium had come, and that they had the king- dom on earth. The Church, hand in hand with the world, plunged into the dark ages, until awakened by the great reformers of the sixteenth century, who again began to proclaim the comforting hope and blessed promise of the coming of Christ; and since that time the subject so long neglected has been studied and preached with increasing interest. Indeed, in the last two centuries, it seems to have risen (with the doctrine of salvation by simple faith in a crucified Saviour) into somewhat the same promi- nence which it occupied in the early cnurch. God be praised for it. CHAPTER V. The Millennium. Millennium (Latin) is the same as Chiliad (Greek), and both mean a thousand years. Both terms stand for the doctrine of a future era of righteous government upon the earth, to last a thousand years. Jewish writers throughout the Talmud hold that this Millennium will be chiefly characterized by the deliverance of the Jews from all their enemies, recovery of Palestine and the literal reign of their Messiah in unequaled splen- dor therein. Pre-millemnial Christians hold much in common with the Jews, but also that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah ; that He is to return to the earth and overthrow Satan, all ungodly government and lawlessness, and es- tablish a kingdom of righteousness, having the Church, with Himself as sovereign, Jerusalem as the capital, re- gathered and converted Israel as the center, and all na- tions included in a universal, world-wide kingdom of pure and blessed government. Post-millennialists, for the most part, hold that the pres- ent preaching of the gospel will result in the conversion of the world and usher in a golden era of righteousness and a government of justice and peace to last a thousand years, after which the Lord will return for a "general judgment" and introduction of an eternal state. It is well to have these distinctive views of the Millennium clearly in mind. Contrary to the post-millennial view, the literal reign of Christ, with His saints, for a thousand years is plainly stated in the twentieth chapter of Revelation. 1 Six times (1) Rev. 20:1. And I saw an 2. And he laid hold on the angel come down from heaven, dragon, that old serpent, which having the key of the bottom- is the Devil, and Satan, and less pit and a great chain in his bound him a thousand years, 3. And cast him into the bot- OW 38 JESUS IS COMING. is the expression "A thousand years," repeated. Verses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The teaching is so plain that "way- faring men shall not err therein. ' ' Isa. 35 :8. But those who oppose this "blessed hope," of the pre- millennial coming of our Lord usually begin their arguments by the assertion that the doctrine of the Millennium is no- where taught in Scripture except in this 20th chapter of Revelation, and that the symbolical character of this book forbids our founding any doctrine upon it. The super- ficial character of such a statement is glaringly apparent from the fact that the Jews had fully developed the doc- trine of the Millennium as the teaching of the Old Testa- ment scriptures long before the Book of Revelation or any portion of the New Testament was written. It was the view most frequently expressed in the Talmud that "the Messianic kingdom would last for one thousand years/' and this was commonly believed among the Jews. It is easy to discern upon what they founded the doctrine. It is the Sabbath of God's weeks. The division of time into sevens, or weeks, permeates the Scriptures. A fundamental enactment of the Mosaic tomles's pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled : and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judg- ment was given unto them : and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands ; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thou- sand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part In the first resurrec- tion : on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to- gether to battle : the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and com- passed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city : and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. THE MILLENNIUM. 39 law was the keeping of the Sabbath, Ex. 20:8. This was based upon God's great rest day in Gen. 2. Upon this is founded not only the week of days, but also the week of weeks unto Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-16); the week of" months, with the Atonement and seven days' feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month (Lev. 23:27-28); the week of years, ending with the Sabbatic year (Lev. 25 :4) ; the week of weeks of years, ending with the seventh Sab- batic year, and followed by the year of Jubilee (Lev. 25 r 8-12). Even the duration of Israel's great punishments was based upon this law of the sevens. Their captivity in Babylon was for seventy years. Jer. 25 :11-12 ; Dan. 9 :2. The great period revealed to Daniel (Ch. 9), unto the coming of the Messiah was divided into seventy sevens. The unequaled period of Israel's punishment and disper- sion in the lands of their enemies, prophesied by Moses, is, with four-fold emphasis, specified to be for seven times. (Lev. 26:18, 21, 24, 28). This sacred seven is woven into the laws, life and history of the chosen people, with whom God established His theocracy. And notwithstanding all of Israel's rebellion and sinfulness and consequent chas- tisement, there still remains for them and the whole world a keeping of the Sabbath. Heb. 4:9 margin. With God a day is as a thousand years (Psa. 90), and a thousand years as one day. 2 Pet. 3 :8. Upon this rock of the sacred sevens we can consistently, with the Jews, base our conclusion that as we have the scriptural week, week of weeks, week of months, week of years, week of weeks of years, week of seventy years, week of times, week of olams or aions (ages), see page 222, so we also have the great week of Millenniums. Six thou- sand year days of labor and then the Millennium, or blessed seventh thousand years of rest. This scriptural doctrine of the Millennium cannot be shaken. Its root is in the Sabbath of Genesis, and its fruit is in the thousand-year kingdom of Revelation. It shines throughout the Word of God as a glorious hope for the nations, whom God has promised to bless. Gen. 12:3. 40 JE8U8 18 COMING. Shine on, blessed Revelation of God, and the Lord stamp upon our hearts the warning that, "If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this proph- esy, God shall take away his part from the Tree of Life." Rev. 22 :19.* *For a more full statement of this doctrine see the au- thor's pamphlet "The Millennium," F. H. Revell Co. CHAPTER VL Post-Millennialism. t About the year seventeen hundred a new error crept into the Church, to-wit, Post-millennialism. This was instituted by Daniel Whitby, an English di- vine, or proclaimed by him as a new hypothesis, namely, that the Church would prosper and extend until the world should be converted, and this triumph of the Church would constitute the Millennium; and that Jesus would not come until after the Millennium. No wonder that he calls it a "new hypothesis," for he himself bears testimony in his "Treatise on Traditions" that the doctrine of the Millennium, or the reign of Saints on earth a thousand years, passed among the best of Chris- tians for two hundred and fifty years, for a tradition apostolical, and as such is delivered by many fathers of the second and third century, who speak of it as the tradition of our Lord and His apostles. For want of space we refer the reader to "The Voice of the Church," by D. T. Taylor, to show the long line of eminent witnesses, embracing Hermas, Justin and the Mar- tyrs, Luther, Melanchthon, Mede, Milton, Burnett, Isaac Newton, Watts, Charles Wesley, Toplady, and a host of others, illustrious in the annals of the Church, who, through the past eighteen centuries, have borne overwhelm- ing testimony to the truth of the pre-millennial coming of Christ.* Strange, indeed, that the Church, in the face of such evidence, should drift away from the simple teaching of the Word and the faith of the fathers. And yet, though of such recent origin, this error of post-millennialism has not only crept into the Church, but has been accepted by the great majority of Christians, pastors and people. This, then, is the principal point of the question, *See also page 66. 42 JESUS IS COMING. namely: Will the coming of Christ occur before the Mil- lennium, and may it therefore happen at any moment, as Pre-millennialists believe, or will it occur after the Mil- lennium, and thus be, at least, a thousand years in the future, as Post-millennialists believe? CHAPTER Pre-Millennial Arguments. We now invite your prayerful attention to the follow- ing scriptural arguments, which, we believe, show that the coming of our Lord will be pre-millennial. No. I. The Antichrist. In 2 Thes. 2:8/ The Antichrist, who is on all sides con- fessed to be pre-millennial, is to be destroyed with the brightness of His (Christ's) coming, or more literally the epiphany (appearing*) of His own presence. This fixes the coming of Christ to be pre-millennial. Bishop Mcllvaine says of this argument that "it is wholly unanswerable." Even Mr. Brown, the great champion of post-millennial- ism, admits that this is an apparent evidence for the pre- millennial advent, and he has been obliged to meet it by that process of "spiritualizing" Scripture which has been so condemned by Dr. John Pye Smith, Martin Luther, Sir Isaac Newton, Bishop Hooker, Dr. Adam Clarke, and oth- ers. On this argument alone we might rest, but we have others fully as conclusive. No. II. Immediately After the Tribulation. In Mat. 24:29-31, 2 the coming of the Son of Mant is said to be immediately after the Tribulation. But this *See Greek tn-i^oveta same word used in 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1; 4:8; and Titus 2:13; in each place translated ap- pearing. tThis is His coming' at the Revelation; see diagram, page 72. (1) 2 Thes. 2:8. And then ly after the tribulation of those shall that Wicked be revealed, days shall the sun be darkened, whom the Lord shall consume and the moon shall not give her with the spirit of his mouth, and light, and the stars shall fall shall destroy with the bright- from heaven, and the powers of ness of his coming : the heavens shall be shaken : (2) Mat. 24 :29. Immediate- 30. And then shall appear the (43) 44 JESUS 18 COMING. Tribulation is pre-millemrial, or before the reign of peace.* See also the diagram on page seventy-two. Therefore the coming is pre-millennial. No. in. A Persecuted Church. The true Church is a persecuted, suffering, cross-bearing people* thereunto appointed, 6 so that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tun. 3:12), and this will continue until Christ comes, 6 which precludes any Millennium until after His coming. No. IV. Tares and Wieat. We are nowhere in the New Testament directed to look for the Millennium before the coming of Christ. But we sign of the Son of man in heaven : and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (3) Mat 24:21. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Isa. 24:20. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cot- tage ; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. 21. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gath- ered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. 23. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his an- cients gloriously. Also Luke 21 :24, etc. (4) John 15:19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own ; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant to not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you ; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. Also John 16 :33. (5) 1 Thes. 3:3. That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. (6) 2 Thes. 1:7. And to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the an- gels of his power in naming fire, 8. Rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus : 9. Who shall suffer punish- ment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, THE TARES AND WHEAT. 45 are expressly taught that the tares and the wheat grow together until the end (of this age) ; that evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse; that as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man^ And such is the character and num- ber of the tares that their destruction, before the harvest, would endanger the children of the kingdom. Mat. 13:29. This absolutely precludes the idea of a millennial reign of righteousness in this dispensation. From the time that the first Adam surrendered the king- dom to Satan, the effort to re-establish it with man has been a continual failure, though it was given to Noah, 8 10. When be shall come to be glorified in bis saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. (7) Mat 13 :29. But he said, Nay ; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30. Let both grow together until the harvest : and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them : but gather the wheat into my barn. 2 Pet. 3:3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4. And 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. 1 Tim. 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 2 Tim. 3:13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. Luke 17 :26. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and de- stroyed them all. 28. Likewise also as It was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Also 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Mat 24: 37-51. (8) Gen. 9:1. And God blessed Noah ana his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 2. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth and upon all the fishes of the sea ; into your hand are they de- livered. 46 JESUS 18 COMING. Saul (1 Sam. 9:16; 13:13), Nebuchadnezzar 9 and others, And it will be a failure in this sin-cursed earth until the second Adam, who has overcome Satan, shall return to purify the earth and establish the kingdom on resurrection ground. Therefore there will be no Millennium until Christ comes. But while we are not told to look for the Millennium, we are repeatedly and most solemnly enjoined to look for the return of our Lord. So we again conclude that His return must be pre-millennial. No. V. The Literal Reign of Christ. The millennial kingdom will be a literal reign of Christ on the earth, and not simply a spiritual exaltation of the Church. "A king shall reign in righteousness" (Isa, 32:1; Jer. 23:1-6), "upon the throne of David" 10 "in Jerusalem." 11 The apostles shall sit upon the twelve thrones (Mat. 19:28), and the Saints shall reign upon the earth. Rev. 5:10. Speaking of the kingdom, or crown of Israel, the Lord God says : "I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it (9) Dan. 2:37. Thou, O king, Son of the Highest: and the Lord art a king of kings : for the God God shall give unto him the of heaven hath given thee a throne of his father David : kingdom, power, and strength, 33 And he shal , relgn over and glory. the house of Jacob for ever ; ZB. And -wheresoever the cnil- and of his klngdom tnere sha u dren of men dwell, the beasts be no end of the field and the fowls of the n heaven hath he given into thine v (11 > Je f- 3 : * 7 ' T At **** time hand, and hath made thee ruler thev shall call Jerusalem the over them all. Thou art this throne of the Lord ' and a11 the head of gold nations shall be gathered unto (10) Isa. *9:7. Of the in- " to the name of the Lord - to crease of Ms government and Jerusalem: neither shall they peace there shall be no end, wal * any more after the imag- upon the throne of David, and mation of their evil heart upon his kingdom, to order it, Zech. 14 :16. And it shall and to establish it with judg- come to pass, that every one ment and with justice from that is left of all the nations henceforth even for ever. The which came against Jerusalem zeal of the Lord of hosts will shall even go up from year to perform this. year to worship the King, the Luke 1 :32. He shall be Lord of hosts, and to keep the great, and shall be called the feast of tabernacles. LITERAL REIGN OF CHRIST. 47 shall be no more, Until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him." Ezek. 21 :27. The multitude of passages which bear upon this fact we can not even refer to. Dr. J. Pye Smith says that they are far more numerous than those which describe the humilia- tion and suffering of Christ. And they are so specific, so full of detail, so like the prophecies concerning the first coming, in their literalness, that our post-millennial brethren are compelled to do the utmost violence to the laws of interpretation in the "spir- itualizing" method with which they meet this argument. We believe that we have the word of prophecy spoken by "holy men of God," "as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:19), and that we should direct our first efforts toward understanding the literal sense (as it is called), "which alone," as Martin Luther says, "is the sub- stance of faith and of Christian theology." Jesus is in "heaven," at "the right hand of God" (1 Pet. 3:22), "upon the throne with the Father" (Psa. 110:1; Rev. 3:21), in the Holy of Holies, or true Holy Place (Heb. 9:24), making intercession (Rom. 8:34), for those that come unto God by Him. Heb. 7:25. But Heaven has only received Him until the time of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets (Acts 3:21), when He shall come again, to sit in the throne of His Father David. 12 This again proves His coming to be pre-millennial.* No. VI. Argument From the Order of the Resurrection. We believe we have a conclusive argument based upon the Resurrection, which may be briefly stated as follows: All the dead will be raised, but, as Jesus was raised out of the dead and the rest of the dead were left, so the dead *For further evidence of the distinction between the Church and the Kingdom, see page 83. (12) Acts 3:20. And he shall tution of all things, which God send Jesus Christ, which before hath spoken by the mouth of all was preached unto you ; his holy prophets since the world 21. Whom the heaven must began, receive until the times of resti- 48 JESUS IS COMING. in Christ that are His at His coming, will be raised out of the dead, and the rest of the dead will be left until another and final resurrection, and the Millennium will occur be- tween these two resurrections, thus clearly showing Christ's coming to be pre-millennial. We believe that any unprejudiced mind will be con- vinced of this by simply reading the following passages: Order of the Resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:22-26. For as in Adam all die, even so In Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order. Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ's at His coming. Then (or afterwards) the end* The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Dead in Christ Rise First. 1 Thes. 4:13-17. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For IF WE BELIEVE that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. The First Resurrection. Rev. 20:4-14. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them.... and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast .... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED. THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION, on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are ex- pired Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations And I saw a GREAT WHITE THRONE, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth * The Greek tiro, (ita) here signifies next in order, but not necessarily immediate, as will be seen i>y the use of the same word in Mark 4:17, 28; 1 Tim. 2:13. And in this same chapter (vs. 5-7), it is used interchangeably with ivtim (epita). This fact seems to have been altogether overlooked by Post- millenniaWsts who have therefore entirely misconstrued the passage. When the Holy Spirit means immediately He uses efavrij*, tvuius or trapaxpi}/** See Acts 10:33; Mat. 4:22; Luke 1:64, etc. ORDER OF THE RESURRECTION. 49 and the heaven fled away; And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell (Hades) delivered up the dead which were in them These three passages are so plain that the wayfaring man need not err therein. In the first, we are told the order of the resurrection each "in his own order" (Gr. Band.). The figure is taken from troops moving by bands or regiments. First, Christ ("the first born from the dead." CoL 1: 18). Next, the godly, who die in Christ and who are His at His coming. Next, the end, when "the rest of the dead" (who are not Christ's) shall come forth and death itself be destroyed. The second passage reiterates and emphasizes the fact that the dead in Christ shall rise first and that they rise when the Lord descends from Heaven with a shout. The resurrection of the ungodly is not spoken of, for they have no part in this blessed first resurrection. In the third passage we have~tne first resurrection com- pleted by the resurrection of the Tribulation Saints (see page 101) and the reign with 'Christ for a thousand years is stated to occur before the rest of the dead are raised. And after the thousand years the rest of the dead, who lived not again until the thousand years were finished, stand before God, and death and Hades deliver up the dead in them. This one thousand years is the Millennium (Latin, mille annum). What could be plainer than this proof that Christ's coming is to be pre-millennial ? The dead in Christ are raised at His coming and they are raised before the millennium. Therefore His coming must be pre-millenniaL 60 JESUS IS COMING. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. The Use of Scripture Passages. It is objected that we have no right thus to bring to gether these passages from different parts of the Word. We answer why not 1 ? Are they not all inspired 1 ? 13 Are they not all the product of one mind? See how plainly we are taught that they are all the utterances of the Holy Spirit. 14 And it is clear that they all relate to the same subject, viz. : the resurrection. Paul uses quotations in the same manner in Rom. 3 to prove that all have sinned, and again in Rom. 10 to prove the righteousness which is of faith, and in Heb. 11 to show the fruits of faith. We must certainly acknowledge the propriety of following Ms example. Indeed, the same method of aggregating proof texts is used and relied upon to show the divinity of Christ and every evangelical doctrine. Only Souls Mentioned. It is objected that only the souls are mentioned in Rev. 20 and therefore it cannot be a literal resurrection, but i& only the regeneration, or spiritual resurrection and present life of believers in Christ. (13) 2 Tim. 3:16. All Scrip- things to your remembrance, ture is given by inspiration of whatsoever I have said unto you. God, and is profitable lor doc- John 16 :13 H owbeit when trine, for reproof, for correction, he> tne gpirit of truth> is com6( for instruction in righteousness. he will guide you into all truth . 2 Tim. 3:16 (R. V.). Every for he shall not speak of him . scripture inspired of God is also se]f . but whatsoe ver he shall profitable for teaching, for re- hear> that shall he gpeak . and proof, for correction, for instruc- he win shew you things to come tion which is in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may * Cor. 2 :10. But God hath be complete, furnished com- revealed them unto us by his pTetely unto every good work. Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth Or, Every scripture is inspired all things, yea, the deep things of God and profitable. ' oa< (14) John 14:26. But the 2 Pet. 1:21. For the proph- Comforter, which is the Holy ecy came not in old time by the Ghost, whom the Father will will of man : but holy men of send in my name, he shall teach God spake as they were moved you all things, and bring all by the Holy Ghost. OBJECTIONS. 51 The fallacy of this is easily seen, for these holy dead enjoyed the spiritual resurrection before they "were be- headed for the witness of Jesus." Clearly, it was because of this spiritual life in Christ and their faith in the Word of God, that they became witnesses for Jesus and refused to worship the beast, or his image or receive his mark, and therefore they were beheaded (see chap. 13:11-15). Besides, i/t^as (psukas souls) means also life, person or individual. See same word in Acts 2 :41, "there were added unto them about three thousand souls (persons)" and in Acts 7:14; 27:10-37; 1 Cor. 15:45; 1 Pet. 3: 20; Rev. 12:11; 16:3, it unmistakably means persons. 15 A spirit could not be beheaded. Only a person having body and spirit could be beheaded, and such it is evident these were. But they suffered physical death ; that is, separ- ation of soul and body, and became part of the great com- pany of the dead. The 5th verse emphatically confirms this these being that portion of the dead ones (vocpoiv) who lived, while "the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished," and "this is the -first resurrection." Tn this objection Post-millennialists manifest one of their most remarkable inconsistencies. They labor assidu- ously to disprove the literalism of the first resurrection, described in verses 4-6, where Cat" -zao = to live and dracrrao-is- anastasis = resurrection are each twice used, while they hold that verses 12 and 13 do describe a literal resurrection, though neither zao nor anastasis are used therein. Consistency requires that, if either is spiritual, it should be the latter. How much better to accept both as literal. (15) Acts 7:14. Then sent longsuffe? .'ng of God waited in Joseph, and called his father the days of Noah, while the ark Jacob to him, and all his kin- was preparing, wherein few, that dred, threescore and fifteen souls. is, eight souls were saved by Acts 27 :37. And we were in wa * er - all in the ship two hundred Re , v ' 16 :3 ' And the stjcond threescore and sixteen souls. f gel poured out hls vlal u P n the sea ; and it became as the 1 Pet. 3:20. Which sometime blood of a dead man: and every were disobedient, when once the living soul died in the sea. 32 JESUS IS COMING. Spiritual Life in Paradise. Equally fallacious is the interpretation which claims that the first resurrection is the spiritual life of believers with Christ in Paradise (the intermediate place of the holy dead). For this spiritual life begins, not at death, but at the regeneration. It begins with the first exercise of faith in Christ. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36. Hath it now. Is quickened already (Col. 2:13), and has been raised (Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1), and lives the life he now lives by the faith of the Son of God. Gal. 2:19, 20. This spiritual resurrection spoken of in Eph. 2:6; Col. 2:12, 13; 3:1, is expressed by words entirely different from anastasis, which is used in Rev. 20: 5-6, and which everywhere in the New Testament expresses a literal resurrection. Only the Beheaded Mentioned. Again it is objected that only the beheaded are men- tioned and those who have specially to do with the beast and His image. This is true of the latter part of the verse only. And we believe that these are the Tribulation Saints who accept of Christ and become His martyrs under the reign of Anti- christ, 16 after the Church has been caught up to meet (16) 2 Thes. 2 :1. Now we be- 4. Who opposeth and exalteth seech you, brethren, by the com- himself above all that is called ing of our Lord Jesus Christ, God, or that is worshipped ; so and by our gathering together that he as God sitteth in the unto him, temple of God, shewing himself 2. That ye be not soon shaken that he is God. In mind, or be troubled, neither 6. Remember ye not, that, by spirit, nor by word, nor by when I was yet with you, I told letter as from us, as that the you these things? day of Christ is at hand. 6. And now ye know what 3. Let no man deceive you by withholdeth that he might be any means: for that day shall revealed in his time. not come, except there come a 7. For the mystery of iniquity falling away first, and that man doth already work : only he who of sin be revealed, the son of now letteth will let, until he b perdition; taken out of the way. OBJECTIONS. 53 Christ in the air. 17 (See page 101.) But notice that the first part of the verse speaks of some as though they had already beea raised. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them." Nothing is said about the resurrection of these, because they had already been raised at the Kapture previous to the Tribulation. They are all ready to occupy the thrones and reign upon the earth according to the promises. 18 But John sees the 8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of* his coming: 9. Even him, whose coming Is after the working of Satan with axl power and signs and lying wonders. Rev. 13 :11. And I beheld an- other beast coming up out of the earth ; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as' a dragon. 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to wor- ship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13. And he doeth great won- ders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast ; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not wor- ship the image of the beast should be killed. 16. And he causeth all, both email and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right band, or in their foreheads : 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of hia name. 18. Here Is wisdom. Let him that ham understanding count the numoer of the beast: for it is the number of a man ; and his number is Six hundred three- score and sis.. (17) 1 Thes. 4:16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18. Wherefore comfort one an- other with these words. (18) Mat. 19:28. And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit In the throne of his glory, yo also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 1 Cor. 6 :2. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye un- 54 JESUS IS COMING. Tribulati9n Saints also raised to take part in this reign with Christ, which is in perfect accord with the order of the first resurrection. CHRIST . .THE FIRST FRUITS. Next, they who are Christ's at His Coming. The Church and the Old Testament Saints who are raised at the Rapture when Christ comes in the air. The Tribulation Saints who are raised at the Revelation when Christ comes to the earth. The Last Day. Again we hear it objected that Christ said He would raise up those who believe in Him at the last day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54), and if it is at the last day there can not follow a thousand years before the unbelievers are raised. But Peter says "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." 2 Pet. 3:8. This is the great Millennial day ushered in and end- ing with resurrection and judgment, and during which Christ shall rule the nations and judge the world in right- eousness. 19 worthy to judge the smallest matters ? 3. Know ye not that we shall Judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Rev. 3 :21. To him that over- cometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (19) Acts 17:31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Isa. 11 :9. They shall not hurt nor destroy In all my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. 10. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people ; to it shall the Gentiles seek : and his rest shall be glo- rious. 11. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall THAT DAY. 65 It is "the day of an age" as the Holy Spirit designates it in 2 Pet. 3:18. See the Greek " yfj.cpav aioivos " (heemeran aionos). In harmony with this we find that the same word rj^epa (heemera day) signifies "a long period," in John 8:56} 9:4; Rom. 10:21; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 4:7-8. "That Day " is the key to the book of Isaiah and many of the other prophets. Note how frequently it occurs. Isa. 2:11; 3:7, 18; 4:1, 2; 5:30; 7:18, 20, 21, 23; 10:27, etc.; Jer. 25:33; Ezek. 38:14, 16; 39:11; 48:35; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:11; Mieah 4:6; 7:11, 12; Zeph. 3:11, 16; Hag. 2:23; Zech. 9:16; 12:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11; 13:1, 2, 4; 14:6, 8, 13, 21; Mai. 3:17; Mat. 7:22; 24:36; Mark 13:32; Lu. 21:34. See how plainly it is identified with the Day of the Lord. Compare Isa. 2:12 with 20. "For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud 'and lofty. .... In that day a man shall cast his idols to the moles and bats." Also Zeph. 1:14, 15. "The great day of the Lord is near . . . that day is a day of wrath." See the same in Zech. 14 :l-4. In Hosea 6:2 we read "After two days will He revive as; in the third day He will raise us up." These are evi- dently three days of one thousand years each, for "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years." So "that day" is doubtless the last thousand year day of God's great week of aions (ages). See page 218. Mentioned in Same Verse. Again it is objected that, while there will be a great dif- ference in the character of the resurrection of the just and of the unjust, yet they must be simultaneous in time, for set his band again the second Gush, and from Elam, and from time to recover the remnant of Shinar, and from Hamath, and his people, which shall be left from the Islands of the sea. from Assyria, and from Egypt, ^Iso Rev. 2 :27. and from Pathros, and from 66 JESUS IS COMING. both are mentioned in conjunction, that is in the same verse. 20 But Jesus has taught us that this objection has no force, by giving us a remarkable example to the contrary. In Luke 4:16-21, we read, that He opened the book, found the place and read from Isa. 61, 21 to the comma (or division of clauses) in verse 2, and closed the book, saying: "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears." Why did He stop there? Because the time had not come to proclaim "the day of vengeance." That comma has been over eighteen centuries long and will continue until Christ (hav- ing gathered His saints, 1 Thes. 4 :16-17) shall appear with them executing vengeance on the ungodly. 2 Thes. 1 :7-10 ; Jude 14, 15. Therefore, Jesus, Himself, having taught us, that two events, stated consecutively in Isa. 61:2, are sep- (20) Dan. 12 :2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. John 5 :29. And shall come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damna- tion. Acts. 24 :15. And have hope toward God, which they them- selves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and un- just. (21) Isa. 61 :1. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; be- cause the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to pro- claim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound ; 2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God ; to com- fort all that mourn ; 3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heavi- ness ; that they might be called Trees of righteousness. The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Luke 4 :16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up : and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day. and stood up for to read. 17. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gos- pel to the poor ; he bath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the cap- tives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21. And he began to say unto them. This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. OBJECTIONS. 57 arated by more than eighteen hundred years, surely we should respect God's Word, when it so plainly states that there will be a period of a thousand years between the resurrection of the "blessed and holy," and that of "the rest of the dead." The word &pa (hora hour) which Jesus used in John 5:28 is the same word as that used in verse 25. 22 The latter we all believe has been over eighteen hundred years long. Why, then may not the former be at least a thousand years long and thus perfectly harmonize with Rev. 20? See also John 4:21, 23 and Rom. 13:11 (high time = topa = it is already the hour) in each of which hour signifies a long period. Tregelles who is supported by the Jewish commenta- torsrenders Dan. 12:2 as follows: "And many from among the sleepers of the dust of the earth shall awake; these shall be unto everlasting life; but those (the rest of the sleepers who do not awake at this time) shall be unto shame." (See Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on this passage.) It is needless to add that this most intensely confirms the doctrine of the first resurrec- tion. Only One Text. Lastly it is objected that a difference in time for the resurrection of the just from that of the unjust is stated in only one place in the Word, to- wit: Rev. 20, and that this is a book so symbolical, that we must not rely upon it for such an important fact. Only one place indeed! But is not that enough? Why! the existence of all light rests upon the single sentence in Gen. 1:3, 23 and it rests safely, because God spoke those words. The most marvelous fact, in connection with our Lord's first appearing, was the immaculate conception. It (22) John 5:25. Verily, ver- hour is coming, In the which ily, I s-ay unto you, The hour is all that are in the graves shall coming, and now is, when the hear his voice, dead shall hear the voice of the (23) Gen .3 An(J Go(J , d Son of God ; and they that hear Let there be lignt . and there ^ shall live. n ht 28. Marvel not at this : for the 58 JESUS IS COMING. has caused suspicion of Mary's character, and it calls for the greatest exercise of faith to believe in the Holy Ghost Fatherhood of her Son. It professes the holiest purity where the world can see only fornication and shame. And yet this astonishing event rested for centuries upon a single passage of prophecy, "Behold a virgin shall con- ceive and bear a son." Isa. 7:14, and although it was given by jthe Lord to the Jews as a special and important ign they will not rely upon it, because it occurs in a poetical book, and so they reject the Babe of Bethlehem. But shall we, who believe that Isa. 7:14 has been literally fulfilled condemn the Jews for not accepting it, and yet justify ourselves in rejecting the literal fulfillment of this plain statement in Rev. 20? God forbid. Remem- ber that He says, "Behold I come quickly; blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." Rev. 22:7; 1:3. Oh then let us earnestly entreat you, to heed this one passage even though it may pierce through . your established opinions. 24 Don't reject it. Don't pervert its simple teaching, for it is God's holy Word of prophecy and is as immovable as the rocky fastness of the moun- tains yea more for these shall pass away "but the Word of the Lord endureth forever." Dean Alford's Comments. And here, dear reader, let us invite your careful atten- tion to Dean Alford's comment upon this passage, viz.: "this is the first resurrection." He says : "It will have been long ago anticipated by the readers of this commentary, that I cannot consent to distort its words from their plain sense and chronological place in the prophecy, on account of any considerations of difficulty, or any risk of abuses which the doctrine of the Millennium may bring with it. Those who lived next to the Apostles, and the whole Church for three hundred years, understood them in the plain literal sense; and it is a strange sight in these days (24) Heb. 4:12. For the word viding asunder of soul and spirit, of God is quick, and powerful, and of the joints and marrow, and sharper than any twoedged and is a discerner of the sword, piercing even to the di- thoughts and intents of the heart DEAN ALFORD'S COMMENT. 59 to see expositors who are among the first in reverence of antiquity, complacently casting aside the most cogent in- stance of unanimity which primitive antiquity presents. As regards the text itself, no legitimate treatment of it will extort what is known as the spiritual interpretation now in fashion. If, in a passage where two resurrections are mentioned, where certain souls lived at the first, and the rest of the dead lived only at the end of a specified period after that first, if in such a passage, the first resur- rection may be understood to mean spiritual rising with Christ, while the second means literal 'rising from the grave; then there is an end of all significance in language, and Scripture is wiped out as a definite testimony to any- thing. If the first resurrection is spiritual, then so is the second, which I suppose no one will be hardy enough to maintain. But if the second is literal, then so is the first, which in common with the whole primitive church and many of the best modern expositors, I do maintain and receive as an article of faith and hope."* Resurrection From the Bead. Now if Christ is coming to raise the righteous a thou- sand years before the ungodly, it would be natural and im- perative that the former should be called a resurrection from, or out of the dead, the rest of the dead being left until after the thousand years. We rejoice therefore that this is just what is most carefully done in the Word, and in this we believe we have another most comprehensive and definite proof of the pre-millennial coming of Christ. It consists in the use made, in the Greek text of the words fKVKpS>v (ek nekron). These words signify "from the dead" or, out of the dead, implying that the other dead are left. The resurrection vocpw or ru>v vocpw (nekron, or ton nekron-of the dead) is applied to both classes because all *See also the quotations .from distinguished authorities, both English and German given as critical testimonies in the appendix to Pre-millennial Essays, published by F. H. Revell. Chicago, 111. 60 JE8VS IS COMING. will be raised. But the resurrection c vocpwv (ek nekron = out of the dead) is not once applied to the ungodly.* The latter phrase is used altogether 49 times, to- wit: 34 times, to express Christ's resurrection, whom we know was thus raised out of the dead.^ 3 times, to express John's supposed resurrection, who, as Herod thought, had been thus raised out of the dead.\ 3 times, to express the resurrection of Lazarus, who was also raised out of the dead.\\ 3 times, it is used figuratively, to express spiritual life out of the deadness of sin. Rom. 6:13: "As those that are alive from the dead"; 11:15: "Life from the dead." Eph. 5:14: "Arise from the dead." It is used in Luke 16:31. Parable of the rich man. "Though one rose from the dead." And in Heb. 11:19. Abraham's faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead. And the remaining 4 times it is used to express a future resurrection out of the dead, namely, in Mark 12 :25, where Jesus says: "When they shall rise from the dead (In veKpwv ) they neither marry, nor are given in marriage ; but are as the angels which are in heaven," and in Luke 20 :35- 36. "But they which shall be accounted worthy to ob- tain that world, and the resurrection which is from among (the) dead (rrjor dvoorao-ccos Tr) "questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean." 29 They understood perfectly, what the resurrection of the dead meant, for this was a com- monly accepted doctrine of the Jews. 30 But the resurrec- tion from the dead was a new revelation to them. And it is an important revelation to us, for it is "the resurrection of life." 31 But there is also to be a resurrection of judgment (so the Greek). John 5:29. It is the resurrection of the un- just. 32 It is the completion of the resurrection (voc/aw or the trump of God: and the dead (30) Heb. 6:2. Of the doc- in Christ shall rise first : trine of baptisms, and of laying (28) Acts 23:6. But when on of hands, and of resurrection Paul perceived that the one part of the dead, and of eternal judg- were Sadducees, and the other ment. Pharisees, he cried out in the (31) John 5 :29. And shall council, Men and brethren, I am come forth ; they that have done a Pharisee, the son of a Phari- good, unto the resurrection of see : of the hope and resurrec- life ; and they that have done tion of the dead I am called in evil, unto the resurrection of question. , damnation (judgment). 7. And when he had so said, Dan. 12 :2. And many of them there arose a dissension between that sleep in the dust of the the Pharisees and the Sadducees ; earth shall awake, some to ever- and the multitude was divided. lasting life, and some to shame 8. For the Sadducees say that and everlasting contempt. there is no resurrection, neither (32) Acts 24:15. And have angel, nor spirit : but the Phari- hope toward God, which they sees confess both. themselves also allow, that there (29) Mark 9:10. And they shall be a resurrection of the kept that saying with themselves, dead, both of the just and un- questioning one with another just. what the rising from the dead Rev. 20 :12. And I saw the should mean. dead, small and great, stand be- WATCHING. 63 TO>V vocpwv) of the dead. Hence we see there is a difference in time as well as in character in the order of the resurrec- tion; the first being that of the just, and the second that of the unjust; and this difference in time is perfectly in accordance with the account in Rev. 20, where the interval is stated to be the 1000 years of the Millennial kingdom. And as Christ comes at the resurrection of the just, or those who sleep in Him (1 Thes. 4:13-16), His coming must be pre-millennial.* No. VII. WatcMng. We are commanded to watch for His coming. Again and again did Jesus tell His disciples to watch 9 He said: "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Mat. 24:42. "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour." Mat. 25:13. Adding, "And, what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch." Mark 13 :35-37. He places especial emphasis on the word Watch, particularly in Rev. 16 :15, "Blessed is he that Watcheth." (See Greek.) Now it is absolutely inconsistent with the constitution ' of the human mind, thus to watch for an event which we believe to be one thousand years or more in the future. And yet this is just the position which Post-millennial-, ists are forced to take. *We humbly invite a candid and prayerful consideration of the above argument, on the part of Greek students. Dr. David Brown quite superficially disposes of it by the erroneous presumption that Pre-millenarians apply the resurrection (vexpwv or TWI> vfuplav), of the dead, only to the ungodly. Whereas, we hold that it embraces all, even Christ Himself, but that ( ve K pS>v) from the dead ap- plies only to the select class who have part in the first resurrection. Again is he wrong in his citation of the texts Mark 9:9-10; Acts 10:41; 13:34; 26:23, and Rom. 1:4, each of which, according to Griesbach have c* vexpav or f dvao-rdo-eio? vtupuv. Second Advent, p. 198. fore God ; and the books were 13. And the sea gave up the opened ; and another book was dead which were In it ; and death opened, which Is the book of life : and hell delivered up the dead and the dead were judged out of which were in them : and they those things which were written were judged every man accord- in the books, according to their ing to their works, works. 64 JESUS IS COMING. Matthew Henry, commenting on Luke 12:45, says: "Our looking at Christ's second coming as a thing at a distance is the cause of all those irregularities which render the thought of it terrible to us." And on watching, he says: "To watch implies not only to believe that our Lord will come, but to desire that He would come, to be often think- ing of His coming, and 1 always looking for it as sure and near, and the time of it uncertain." As followers of Christ we are compared to soldiers, fight- ing the fight of faith (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:3; 4:7), and perhaps no better illustration could be given us of watching, than that of picket duty in the army. Old soldiers know that out on the skirmish line it is full of life and excitement, because they are watching for something immediately possible. But in camp it is a dull, soulless drudgery, because they are expecting nothing until the outer pickets, perhaps five or six miles away, are driven in. How intensely do we increase this difference in watch- ing, if we separate the pickets by a thousand years. And this is what post-millennialism does. We believe this argument appeals to the common sense of every person, and we pray God that these seven argu- ments may be blessed to the perfecting of that which is lacking in your faith. 33 He is faithfu' that hath promised, an' He'll surely come again, He'll keep his tryst wi' me, at what hour I dinna ken; But he bids me still to wait, an' ready aye to be, To gang at ony moment to my ain countrie. So I'm WATCHING aye, and singing o' my hame as I wait, For the soun'ing 0' His footfa' this side the gowden gate, For His bluid hath made me white, and His hand shall dry my e'e When He brings me hame at last to my ain countrie. (33) 1 Thes. 3:9. For what 10. Night and day praying ex- thanks can we render to God ceedingly that we might see your again for you, for all the joy face, and might perfect that wherewith we joy for your sakes which is lacking in your faith? before our God; CONTINUE TO WATCtf. 65 True watching is an attitude of mind and heart which would joyfully and quickly turn from any occupation toy meet our Beloved, rapturously exclaiming "this is the Lord; we have waited for Him." Isa, 25 :9. Continue to Watch. But, perhaps, you say : "The Church has been watching for eighteen hundred years and He has not come, and He> may not come for eighteen hundred years more." Well, possibly He may not ; but do we know He will not ? and shall we set a date for His coming? and cease to watch? Post-millennialists say that He will not come for a thou- sand years or more, which is equivalent to setting a date, as it places His coming out of all possibility in our life- time; and then, dear reader, how quickly do we lay down our watching.. The principal condemnation pronounced in the Scrip- ture, in regard to the Lord's return, is to those who say "My Lord delayeth His coming." 34 It is immeasurably better to be ready than to be late. 35 Pre-millennialists believe that He may come any mo- ment, and that we should ever be found watching and waiting, with our loins girded about, and our lights burn- ing, and ourselves like men that wait for their Lord. Lu. 12:35. The eighteen hundred years which have passed only make "our salvation" much "nearer than when we believed," and it is "high time to awake out of sleep." Rom. 13:11. A Little While. There is no prophesied event which has to be fulfilled be- fore His coming in the air to receive the Church. Therefore (34) Mat. 24:48. But and if 51. And shall cut him asun- that evil servant shall say in his der, and appoint him his portion heart, My lord delayeth his com- with the hypocrites : there shall Ing ; be weeping and gnashing of 49. And shall begin to smite teeth. his fellow servants, and to eat See also Luke 12 :45. and drink with the drunken; (35) Mat. 25:10. And while 50. The lord of that servant they went to buy, the bridegroom shall ccme in a day when he came ; and they that were ready looketh not for him, and in an went in with him to the mar- bonr that he is not aware of. riage : and the door was shut 66 JESUS IS COMING. we have need of patience that we may receive the promise: "For yet a little while" (Greek very, very little while) "and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Heb. 10:37. "But," you say, "it is not a little while." Ah ! beloved, does it seem long to you from creation to the flood, or from the flood to Christ? The "little while" of Hag. 2:6- 7, 36 we believe, has not ended yet, 37 and it certainly covered the five hundred years up to Christ's first coming. Re- member that God speaks to you as to an immortal soul. Wait until you have realized a few of the mighty cycles of eternity, and then these eighteen centuries will indeed appear to be "a very, very little while." 0! let us fix our eyes upon Jesus. Let us watch and wait for the King Eternal. 38 The Faith of the Early Church. It is admitted on all sides that the pre-millennial coming of Christ, and His. reign with His saints upon the earth a thousand years, was the faith of the early church. Indeed, this is substantiated by such an abundance of evidence, that it cannot be denied. We would that we had space to quote at length, from the many authorities on this point, but must be content to select a few: (36) Hag. 2 :6. For thus saith in Zion, my holy mountain : then the Lord of hosts ; Yet once, it is shall Jerusalem be holy, and a little while, and I will shake there shall no strangers pass the heavens, and the earth, and through her any more. the sea, and the dry land; Heb. 12 :26. Whose voice then 7. And I will shake all na- shook the earth ; but now he tions, and, the Desire of all na- hath promised, saying, Yet once tions shall come: and I will fill more I shake not the earth only, this house with glory, saith the but also heaven. Lord of hosts. 27. And this word, Yet once (37) Joel 3 :16. The Lord also more, signifieth the removing ot shall roar out of Zion, and ut- those things that are shaken, as ter his voice from Jerusalem ; of things that are made, that and the heavens and the earth those things which cannot be shall shake : but the Lord will be shaken may remain. the hope of his people, and the (38) 1 Tim. 1 :17. Now unto strength of the children of Is- the King eternal, immortal, in- rael. visible, the only wise God, 6e 17. So shall ye know that I honour and glory for ever and am the Lord your God dwelling ever. Amen. FAITH OF THE EARLY CHURCH. 67 Mosheim says: "The prevailing opinion that Christ was to come and reign a thousand years among men before the final dissolution of the world had met with no opposition previous to the time of Origen." (Vol. 1, p. 89.) Geisler says: "In all the works of this period (the first two centuries) Millenarianism is so prominent that we can not hesitate to consider it as universal."* Chillingworth, with his characteristic invulnerable logic, argues: "Whatever doctrine is believed and taught by the most eminent Fathers of any age of the Church and by none of their cotemporaries opposed or condemned, that is to be esteemed the Catholic doctrine of the Church of those times. But the doctrine of the millenaries was be- lieved and taught by the most eminent Fathers of the age nezt after the Apostles, and by none of that age opposed or condemned; therefore, it was the Catholic doctrine of those times."** Stackhouse, in his "Complete Body of Divinity" (Vol. 1, p. 597), says: "It cannot be denied but that this doc- trine (Millenarianism) has its antiquity, and was once the general opinion of all orthodox Christians." Bishop Newton says: "The doctrine of the Millennium (as held by Millenarians) was generally believed in the first three and purest ages."^ Bishop Russell, though an anti-millenarian, says : "Down to the beginning of the fourth century, the belief was universal and undisputed."^. Gibbon, who is at least an unprejudiced witness, says: "The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was carefully inculcated by a succession of Fathers from Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, who conversed with the immediate disciples of the Apostles, down to Lactantius, who was the preceptor of the son of Constantine. It appears to have been the reigning sentiment of orthodox believers." He also says: "As long as this error (as he calls it) was permitted to subsist in the Church, it was productive Geisler's Church History. Vol. 1, p. 215. **Chillingworth's Works, Phila. Edit. 1844, p. 730. tDissertatlons on the Prophecies, p. 527. JDiscourse on the Millennium, p. 236. 68 JESUS IS COMING. of the most salutary effects on the faith and practice of Christians."* Dr. Daniel Whitby, the father of the modern post-mil- lennial theory, in his "Treatise on Traditions," candidly acknowledges that, "the doctrine of the Millennium passed among the best of Christians, for two hundred and fifty years, for a tradition apostolical, and as such is delivered by many Fathers of the second and third centuries, who speak of it as a tradition of our Lord and His Apostles, and of all the ancients who lived before them, who tell us the very words in which it was delivered, the Scriptures which were so interpreted, and say that it was held by all Christians that were exactly orthodox." Lest anyone should lose the full force of these quota- tions, it may be -proper to state, that this "ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium/' as Gibbon styles it, was the belief in the pre-millennial coming of Christ, and His reign on the earth for a thousand years. It was com- monly called chiliasm, which see in Webster's Dictionary. Such, in brief, is the testimony of historians, both ecclesi- astical and profane upon this subject. And some of the early Fathers, of whom they speak, were very nearly, if not quite, the cotemporaries with the Apostles. Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia, who was a disciple of St. John, or who at least received his doctrines from the immediate followers of the Apostle, was an ex- treme Millennialist, and has been called the father of Millenarianism. (See McClintock and Strong's Enc.) Irenasus, as a disciple of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was directly connected with St. John. And also Justin Martyr was one of the earliest of the Fathers. Is it not solemnly incumbent upon us, to respect and heed this doctrine, which these eminent Christian Fathers so undisputedly taught, as being the "tradition of our Lord and His Apostles"? Why is it, that, fapon every other subject connected with our holy religion, such as Baptism, Church government, Forms of worship, Articles of faith, etc., we go back and search diligently to ascertain the doc- *Milman's Gibbon's Rome, Vol. 1, p. 262. THE APOSTLES NOT MISTAKEN. 69 trine of the Fathers, placing so much stress upon what we think they believed and taught, and yet upon this most important theme, cast aside what we know was their faith and testimony? Is it consistent? Dear reader, do let us here emphasize Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians : "Brethren, stand fast and Hold the Traditions (teachings) which ye have been taught whether by word or by our epistle." 39 That is, whether taught in writing, or or- ally, see Verse 5. Now, what were these traditions (teach- ings) if not the coming of Christ and the Reign of the Saints, of which Paul and the other Apostles wrote so freely? Being thus exhorted, it is reasonable to believe that they did hold them, and that they are the very tradi- tions which Whitby and the other 'authorities clearly prove were held by the early Church. Then let us also hold, not the comparatively modern post-millennial theory of Whitby, but the aged faith of the Fathers. The Apostles Were Not Mistaken. We cannot believe (as some assert) that the Apostles were mistaken, and consequently not inspired upon this theme, nor that they and all the early Christians mocked themselves with false hopes in regard to the pre-millennial coming of Christ. They watched and waited for the return of our Lord, as la sure event, the hour of which none but the Father knew, but which had been enjoined upon them as uncertain 40 and imminent. 41 And as they passed away (39) 2 Tb.es. 2:5. Remember in what watch the thief would ye not, that, when I was yet come, he would have watched, with you, I told you these and would not have suffered his things? house to be broken up. 15. So then, brethren, stand 44. Therefore be ye also fast and hold the traditions ready : for in such an hour as ye which ye were taught whether think not the Son of man corn- by word, or by epistle as of ours. eth. (40) Mat. 25:42. Watch (41) Luke 12:35. Let your therefore ; for ye know not what loins be girded about, and your hour your Lord doth come. lights burning ; 43. But know this, that if the 36. And ye yourselves like un- goodaian of the house had known to men that wait for their lord. TO JESUS IS COMING. to the unseen domain of Paradise, they have left us the written Word, their reiterated traditions (teachings handed down), and their great hope. So we take up their vigil, hopefuity watching, not daring to say that He will come to- morrow, nor a thousand years hence, but only this are we sure oi 7 , He may come now. Expectancy. God has held this glorious hope constantly before the Church, to keep her in her proper attitude of expectancy and longing, until the Bridegroom comes. Like Israel in the wilderness, we should realize that we are pilgrims and strangers, seeking a Land, a City, and a King, which are beyond our Jordan of death and resurrection. Death and Resurrection is the common lot of the great mass of the Church. But, of course, there will be some liv- ing when Christ comes, 42 who will not die but be changed in a moment, 43 and be caught up, like Elijah, with the raised saints to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thes. 4:16-18. when he will return from the (42) 1 Thes. 4:15. For this wedding ; that, when he cometh we say unto you by the word of and knocketh, they may open the Lord, that we which are unto him immediately. alive and remain unto the com- 37. Blessed are those servants, ing of the Lord shall not pre- whom the lord when he cometh vent them which are asleep, shall find watching : verily I say 16. For the Lord himself shall unto you, that he shall gird him- descend from heaven with a self, and make them to sit down shout, with the voice of the arch- to meat, and will come forth and angel, and with the trump of serve them. God : and the dead in Christ 38. And if he shall come in shall rise first: the second watch, or come in the 17. Then we which are alive third watch, and find them so, and remain shall be caught up blessed are those servants. together with them in the clouds, 39. And this know, that If the to meet the Lord in the air : and goodman of the house had known so shall we ever be with the what hour the thief would come, Lord. he would have watched, and not 18. Wherefore comfort one an- have suffered his house to be other with these words. broken through. (43) 1 Cor. 15:51. Behold, I 40. Be ye therefore ready shew you a mystery ; We shall also : for the Son of man cometh not all sleep, but we shall all at an hour when ye think not. be changed, Heb. 10 :37. For yet a little 52. In a moment, in the twink while, and he that shall come ling of an eye, at the last trump : will come, and will not tarry. for the trumpet shall sound, ana EXPECTANCY. 71 It may be at morn, when the day is awaking, ^ When sunlight thro' darkness and shadow is breaking, That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory. To receive from the world "His own." It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, It may be perchance, that the blackness of midnight Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, When Jesus receives "His own." While its hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending. With glorified saints and the angels attending, With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory, Will Jesus receive "His own." Oh, joy! Oh, delight! should we go without dying; No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying; Caught up thro' the clouds, with our Lord, into glory. When Jesus receives "His own." the dead shall be raised in- corruptible, and we shall be changed. Mat. 23 :37. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not ! 38. Behold, your house Is left unto you desolate. 39. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. CHAPTER VHI. Diagram. We here present the following diagram, merely as an outline of the order of events, in connection with our Lord's return. We exhort (1 Thes. 4:18, margin) a faith- ful study of it, together with the references and explana- tions appended, believing that, as an object lesson, it will be a great help to the reader to understand these mighty questions. ISRAEL * EXPLANATION. The birth of Christ, the King of the Jews, f The death and resurrection of Christ. A Ascension of Christ. Acts 1 :9. D Descent of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2. (72) Mat. 2:2. OUTLINE OF EVENTS. 73 Church Mystical body of Christ. Eph. 1:22-23; 3:3-6; Rom. 12:4-5; Col. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; and the Bride of Christ, Eph. 5:21-23. De Descent of the Lord (1 Thes. 4:16) to receive His Bride. John 14:3. R Resurrection of the just. Lu. 14:14; Acts 24:15; 1 Thes. 4:15-16; and change of living believers. 1 Cor. 15 :23, 51, 52. Rapture Translation of the saints who (like Enoch) are caught up to meet Christ in the air. 1 Thes. 4:17. M The meeting of Christ and His Bride. 1 Thes. 4:17j Eph. 5:21-32; 2 Cor. 11:2. This is our gathering together unto Him. 2 Thes. 2:1. And the marriage of the Lamb. Mat. 22:2-10; 25:10; Lu. 14:15-24; Rev. 19:7-8. So shall we ever be with the Lord. John 12:26; 14:3; 17:24; 1 Thes. 4:17. It is the Hope of the Church. Phil. 3:20-21; Tit. 2:13; 1 John 3:2-3. And the redemption mentioned in Lu. 21 :28 ; Rom. 8 :23 ; Eph. 4:30. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words. 1 Thes. 4 :18. Thus the Church escapes the tribulation. Lu. 21:36; 2 Pet. 2 :9 ; Rev. 3 :10. T. Period of unequaled tribulation to the world (Dan. 12:1; Mat. 24 ;21 ; Lu. 21:25-26), during which the Church having been taken out God begins to deal with Israel again (Acts 15:13-17; Psa. 51:18; 102:16), and will restore them to their own land. Isa. 11 :11 ; GO; Jer. 30:3; Jer. 31; 32:36-44; Amos 9:15;* Zech. 8:10; Rom. 11. Antichrist will be revealed. 2 Thes. 2 :8. The vials of God's wrath poured out. Psa. 2:1-5; Rev. 6:16-17; Rev. 14:10; 16. But men only blaspheme God. Rev. 16:11-21. Israel accepts Christ (Zech. 12:10-14; 13:6), and are brought through the fire. Zech. 13:9. They pass not away. Mat. 24:34; Psa. 22 :30. 74 JESUS IS COMING. Rev. The revelation of Christ and His saints (Col. 3:4', 1 Thes. 3:13), in flaming fire (2 Thes. 1:7-10) to execute judgment on the earth. Jude 14-15. This is Christ's second coming to the earth. Acts 1:11; Deut. 33:2; Zech. 14:4-5; Mat. 16:27; 24:29-30. J Judgment of the nations, or the quick. Mat. 25:31- 46; 19:28; Acts 10:42; 1 Pet. 4:5. Antichrist is destroyed. 2 Thes. 2 :8. The Beast and the False Prophet are taken. Rev. 19:20. Gog and his allies are smitten. Ezek. chapters 38 and 39. Satan is bound. , Rev. 20:1-3; Rom. 16:20. JJ. T. Resurrection of the Tribulation Saints, which com- pletes the First Resurrection. Rev. 20 :4-6. Mill'm. The Millennium. Christ's glorious reign on the earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4) with His Bride, 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; Isa. 2:2-5; 4; 11:1-12; 25:6-9; Isa. 65:18-25; Mic. 4:1-4; Zeph. 3:14-20; Zech. 8:3-8; Zech. 8:20-23; 14:16-21. S Satan loosed for a little season, and destroyed with Gog and Magog. Rev. 20 :7-10 ; Heb. 2 :14. Res. The Resurrection of Judgment. Rev. 20:12-15; John 5:29; Dan. 12:2. J. W. T. Judgment at the Great White Throne of all the remaining dead. Rev. 20:11-15. Death and Hell destroyed. Rev. 20:14; 1 Cor. 15:26. E. E. Eternity, or rather, The aions to come. Eph. 2:7.* These events, we believe, are plainly foretold in the Word, though we would not be dogmatic as to the precise order- in which they are given above (see preface). But we trust it will enable the reader to apprehend, in some de- gree, the extent to which the future has been revealed, unto us, by the Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21; John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10) and to realize that ETERNITY ITSELF will not be a blank, or statue like condition, but a continually unfolding mani- festation of God to us throughout the "ages to come" (Eph. 2:7) even the "AGES OF AGES." See Greek Gal. 1:5; Eph, 3:21; Phil. 4:21; 1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet 4:11; Rev. 1:6, 18; 4:9, 10; 5:13; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 14:11; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5. See page 218. CHAPTER IX. Rapture and Revelation. Two things are of vital importance, in order to the right understanding of this subject, and these are: First. The distinction between the Rapture and the Revelation. Rapture means to be caught up, or away. Revelation ( aTro/coAri/'is apokalupsis) means Appearing or shining forth or manifestation. 1 The Rapture occurs when the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air, 2 before the tribulation ; and The Revelation occurs when Christ comes, with His saints, to end the Tribulation, by the execution of right- eous judgment upon the earth. 3 At the Rapture, Christ comes into the air for His saints. 4 At the Revelation, He comes to the earth with them. 5 He (1) Rom. 8:19. For the earnest expectation of the crea- ture waiteth for the manifesta- tion of the sons of God. (2) 1 Thes. 4:14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, so shall we ever be with the Lord. (3) 2 Thes. 1:7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ : 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. Jude 14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord corneth with ten thousand of his saints. , 15. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which un- godly sinners' have spoken against him. (4) John 14:3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, .and receive you unto myself ; that where I am, there ye may be also. (5) 1 Thes. 3:13. To the end he may stablish your hearts un- blamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (75) 76 JESUS IS COMING. certainly must come for them before He can come with them. The assurance that God will bring them (Greek lead them forth) with Jesus (1 Thes. 4:14) is evidence that He will first come for them, they being caught up to meet him in the air. Verse 17. The Greek word here ren- dered "to meet" signifies a going forth, in order to return with. The same word is used in Acts 28 :15, 6 where the brethren came out to meet Paul and had a season of thanks- giving with him at Appii Forum and the Three Taverns, when he was on his way to Rome. This exactly accords with our being caught up to meet Christ and afterward returning to the earth with Him. Again, at the Rapture Christ comes as the Bridegroom 7 to take unto Himself His bride, the Church. 8 At the Revelation, He comes, with His bride, to rule the nations. 9 Zech. 14 :5. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains ; for the valley of the mountains' shall reach unto Azal : yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah : and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (6) Acts 28:15. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns ; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. (7) Mat. 25:10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came ; and they that were ready went in with him to the mar- riage : and the door was shut. (8) Eph. 5 :25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the cliurch, and gave himself for it ; 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 27. That he might, present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing : but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28. So ought men to love their/wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his' wife lovetb, himself. 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh ; but nourish- eth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church : 30. For we are members of his body. 31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32. This is a great mystery : but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (9) Rev. 2 :26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations : 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron ; as the ves- sels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers : even as I re- ceived of my Father. Rev. 5 :10. And madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests 1 ; and they reign upon the earth. RAPTURE AND REVELATION. 77 At the Rapture He comes only to meet the saints in the air, 1 Thes. 4:17. At the Revelation, He comes to the earth, 10 and His feet stand upon the same Mount Olivet from which He ascended. 11 At the Rapture the Church, like Enoch, is taken out of the world. 12 At the Revelation, the Millennial Kingdom is begun. 12 In Luke 21:28, the Rapture is referred to at the begin- ning of the Tribulation. "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Redemption here meaning the first resurrection, same as in Rom. 8:23.) 13 In Luke 21:31, the Revelation is referred to, when "these things" (the Tribulation) have come to pass, and the kingdom of God draweth nigh. Rev. 19 :15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations ; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron : and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. See also Rev. 12 :5. (10) Acts 1:11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this s'ame Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (11) Zech. 14:4. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east ; and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof to- ward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 4.nd the Lord ray God shaW come and all the saints with thee. (12) Acts 15:13. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me : 14. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets ; as it is written, 16. After this I will return, and will build again the taber- nacle of David, which is 1 fallen down ; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up : 17. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (13) Rom. 8 :23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of tha Spirit, even we ourselves groaa within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemp- tion of our body. 78 JESUS IS COMING. The Rapture may occur any moment. 14 The Revelation can not occur, until Antichrist be re- vealed, and all the times and seasons (which point to the day of the Lord) in Lev. 26, Daniel and Revelation be fulfilled. The Revelation ushers in the day, the Day of the Lord. 15 The failure to make this distinction has led to great con- fusion among commentators upon this subject. For instance : In 2 Thes. chapter 2, the apostle, in the first verse, speaks of the Rapture, to- wit: the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto Him, o2 which He had written so fully in the previous epistle, especially in the 4th chapter. In the second verse he speaks of the Revelation, or Day of the Lord,* which could not come, except there be a fall- ing away first, and the "man of sin" and "that wicked," or the Antichrist, be revealed. And yet, most commentators have argued that the apostle, in both of these verses, referred to one and the same event, and thus they have made Scripture contradict itself. But we see plainly, that Paul had no intention of contra- dicting Christ's admonitions, unto all, to watch for His coming, as being imminent. Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35- 40. He only made the distinction, as above stated, between the Rapture and the Revelation. The persecuted Thessalo- nians thought that they were in the Tribulation, and that the Day of the Lord had set in.f But Paul corrects them, first by reminding them that the Lord had not come for *Greek, the oldest MSS. read Kvplov = Lord, not xp"" " = Christ. See Bengels' Gnomon and others. f evitm)Ktv (enesteeken) which authorized version renders "at hand," means to be present, or to have set in. See same word in Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 3:22; 7:26; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 9:9, in each place rendered "present." (14) Mat. 24 :42. Watch a thief in the night, therefore ; for ye know not what Luke 17 :30. Even thus shall hour your Lord doth come. it bs in the day when the Son (15) 1 Thes. 5 :2. For your- of r.:an is revealed. selves know perfectly that the Also 2 Thes. 1 :7-10 : 2 Pet day of the Lord so cometh as 3 : 10-12, etc. RAPTURE AND REVELATION. 79 them yet, as He had said that He would (1 Thes. 4:15-17), and then by adding certain other things which must occur before the Day of the Lord should come. He had told them that the Day of the Lord should come as a thief in the night (1 Thes. 5:2), but that they were not of the night, and therefore He exhorts them to watch and be sober. (See alsoLu. 21:36. 16 ) Another evidence of the difference between the Rapture and Revelation consists in the fact that the Church is to escape the Tribulation, which precedes the Revelation. (Mat. 24:29-30.) Enoch, a type of the Church, by his rapture, that is by being caught away or translated (Heb. 11:5) escaped the flood. Christ says, in Luke 21:36, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand be- fore the Son of man." And in keeping with this injunction He gave a blessed promise to the Church, in Rev. 3:10, viz.: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try tnem that dwell upon the earth. Behold I come quickly," etc. A special hour, or time, of tempta- tion i. e., trial is here mentioned, which shall come upon all the world ( oiKov/xen;-oikoumenee the whole habitable same word in Mat. 24:14 all the world). It is a time of trouble not limited to Judea, but as ex tensive as the inhabited earth. This accords with the great tribulation described in Mat. 24:21, a "tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world . . . nor ever shall be." Jesus promises to keep the Church from, or () out of this tribulation, or hour of temptation, that is, the watchful and prayerful believers will escape it. Luke 21:36. Now, as it covers the whole earth, there is no way (16) Luke 21:36. Watch ye escape all these things that shall therefore, and pray always, that come to pass, and to stand be ye may be accounted worthy to fore the Son of man. 80 JESUS 18 COMING. of escape from it, but to be taken out of the world, and this is accomplished by the Rapture. Acts 15 :14, and 1 Thes. 4:17, which thus presents a glorious deliverance for the Church. The elect, 17 'a portion of Israel, 18 will be gathered back to Jerusalem, 19 and pass through the fire, or great trial. 20 Like Enoch, the Church escapes from it. (17) Mat. 24:22. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved : but for the elect's sake those days' shall be shortened. (18) Isa. 65:9. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains : and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. See also verses 15 and 22, and Rom. 11:5-7. (19) Isa. 1:26. And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning : afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteous- ness, The faithful city. 27. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. Zech. 10:6. And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them : for I have mercy upon them : and they shall be as though I had not cast them off : for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them. 7. And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as' through wine : yea, their children shall see it, and be glad ; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. 8. I will hiss for them, and gather them ; for I have re- deemed them : and they shall Increase as they have increased. 9. And I will sow them among the people : and they shall re- member me in far countries ; and they shall live with their children, and turn again. 10. I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria ; and I will bring them Into the land of Gilead and Lebanon ; and place shall not be found for them. (20) Zech. 13:8. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die ; but the third shall be left there- in. 9. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried : they shall call on my name, and I will hear them : I will say, It is my people ; and they shall say. The Lord is my God. Psa. 57 :1. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me ; for my soul trusteth in thee : yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over- past. Isa. 26 :20. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee : hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indigna- tion be overpast. 21. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity : the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Also Psa- 27:5; 31:20 RAPTURE AND REVELATION. 81 Like Noah, Israel passes through it. So the Church should humble herself to walk with God (Micah 6:8), as Enoch did (Gen. 5:24), having the tes- timony that she pleases God, 21 and watch for the Rapture at any moment. The Jews, through their dates and seasons, may look for the Revelation, or day of the Lord, a day of thick darkness to them, in which there is no light at all. 22 Yet, in it they will accept Christ 23 and "at evening time it shall be light," land "living waters shall go out from Je- rusalem." Zech. 14:6-8. The Rapture, or being caught away, at the coming of the Bridegroom, is full of the sweetest comfort for the be- liever, and therefore Paul says, "Comfort one another with these words." 1 Thes. 4:18. But the Revelation of Christ with His Saints, to take vengeance on the ungodly, is full of solemnity and terror to them who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (21) Heb. 11:5. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death ; and was not found, because God had translated him : for before his translation he had this testi- mony, that he pleased God. (22) Amos B:18. Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord ! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. 19. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him ; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20. Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no bright- ness in it? (23) Zech. 12 :9. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jeru- salem. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplica- tions ; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for Tiis only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is In bitter- ness 1 for Tiis first-born. (24) Rev. 6 :12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake ; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood ; 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is 1 rolled to- gether ; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15. And the kings of the 82 JESUS 18 COMING. earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief cap- tains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the moun- tains ; 16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb : 17. For the great day of his wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand? Also 2 Thes. 1:7-10. CHAPTER X. The Church and the Millennial Kingdom. The second point is : The distinction between the Church and the Millennial Kingdom. The Christian Church ( cKJcX^crta ekkleesia), meaning assembly or congregation, is distinct from the congrega- tion of the Mosaic dispensation, or Church in the wilder- ness. 1 For, until after Christ came, it was a thing of the future. This is proved by His assertion in Mat. 16:18, "On this rock will I build my Church," showing that it had not yet been built. And, it is likewise distinct from the Millennial King- dom, which is to follow it. The Church is a companion of Christ in His humilia- tion, manifesting His sufferings and filling up the afflic- tions which are behind. 2 The Kingdom is the manifestation of the glory of Christ which shall follow, 3 when He "shall sit in the throne of His glory," and when they who have suffered with Him during this time of the trial shall also be exalted to regal power and authority. 4 This Kingdom was at hand, 5 that (1) Acts 7 :38. This is he, In them did signify, when it that was in the church (ecclesia testified beforehand the suffer- congregation) in the wilder- ings of Christ, and the glory ness with the angel which spake that should follow. to him in the mount Sinai, and /,,> ,, . - n 00 with our fathers: who received , ( , 4) " at - 19 :28 ' And Jesua the lively oracles to give unto S* unto ** em ' Ven * I fc say us . unto you, That ye which have (2) Col. 1:24. Who now te- to "^ I me, In the regeneration joice in my sufferings for you, 7 he th * Son of . man s , ha11 slt and fill up that which is behind ! the * h n * f his S lorv - ? e of the afflictions of Christ in my also sha11 slt u P n twelve flesh for his body's sake, which thrones, judging the twelve tribes is the church. of IsraeL Also 2 Cor. 1:5-6; Phil. 3: Also Luke 22:28-30. 10; 2 Tim. 1:8. (5) Mat. 3:2. And saying, (3) 1 Pet. 1:11. Searching Repent ye: for the kingdom of what, or what manner of time heaven is at hand. the Spirit of Christ which was Also Ch. 4:17 and 10:7. <83> 64 JESV8 18 COMING. is, it came nigh 6 (or approached, same Greek word), 1 when Jesus, the King, came. So much so, that the three favored disciples witnessed a foretaste of its glory and power on the Mount of Transfiguration. 8 But the Jews rejected it and slew their King. They were not willing to have this man reign over them, and therefore the Kingdom did not "immediately appear." It became like a nobleman which "went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return." See Luke 19:11-27. By this parable Jesus distinctly taught that the Kingdom was in the future. The Kingdom Still Future. It was in the future when Christ said: "I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof (the passover) until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God," and again, "For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God shall come." Luke 22:16-18; also Mat. 26:29; Mark 14:25. (6) Luke 10:9. And heal the as the sun, and his raiment was sick that are therein, and say white as the light. unto them, The kingdom of God 3. And, behold, there appeared is come nigh unto you. unto them Moses and Elias talk- 10. But into whatsoever city ing with him. ye enter, and they receive you 4. Then answered Peter, and not, go your ways out into the said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good streets of the same, and say, for us to be here : if thou wilt, 11. Even the very dust of let us make here thr.-o taber- your city, which cleaveth on us, nacles ; one for thee, and one we do wipe off against you : for Moses, and one for Elias. notwithstanding, be ye sure of 5. While he yet spake, behold, this, that the kingdom of God a bright cloud overshadowed is come nigh unto you. them : and behold a voice out (7) Heb. 10 :25. Not forsak- of the cloud, which said, This Ing the assembling of ourselves is my beloved Son, in whom I together, as the manner of some am well pleased ; hear ye Him. is; but exhorting one another: 6. And when the disciples and so much the more, as ye heard it, they fell on their face, see the day approaching. and were sore afraid. Also Luke 12 :33. 7. And Jesus came and touch- (8) Mat. 17 :1. And after ed them, and said, Arise, and be six days Jesus taketh Peter, not afraid. James, and John his brother, 8. And when they had lifted and bringeth them up into a up their eyes, they saw no man, high mountain apart, save Jesus only. 2. And was transfigured be- 9. And as they came down fore them : and his face did shine from the mountain, Jesus THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM. 85 It was in the future when the thief cried, "Lord re- member me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom." Luke 23:42. Joseph of Arimathea, who laid Jesus' body in the sepulchre, "waited for the Kingdom of God," which also indicates that it was still in the future. Mark 15:43. S ! It was still future when Paul exhorted the disciples to continue in the faith, and said "that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God," Acts 14:22. It was in the future while the persecuted Thessa- lonians suffered, that they might "be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God." 2 Thes. 1:4-5. It Was most assuredly future when, years afterward, Peter, gave his exhortations as follows : "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abun- dantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Sav- ior, Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 1:10-11. And it has been fu- ture during all the long, sad history of the faithful and godly Church, while she has suffered the terrible persecu- tions of fagot, inquisition, banishment, ridicule and false accusation. 9 And it will be future until Jesus, "having received the Kingdom," 10 shall return to recompense tribulation to - charged them, saying, Tell the This is my beloved Son, in whom vision to no man, until the Son I am well pleased. of man be risen again from the 18. And this voice which came dead. from heaven we heard, when we Also Mark 9:1-10; Luke 9: were witn Him In tne hol y 27 mount. (9) 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and 2 Pet. 1 :16. For we have all that wlll live god i y ln Christ not followed cunningly devised Jesus shall suffer persecution. fables, when we made known (10) Luke 19 : i5. And it unto you the power and coming came to pasS) tnat ^hen he was of our Lord Jesus Christ, but returned, having received the were eyewitnesses of his maj- kingdom, then he commanded esty. these servants to be called unto 17. For he received from God him, to whom he had given the the Father honour and glory, money, that he might know how when there came such a voice much every man had gained by to him from the excellent glory, trading. 86 JESUS 18 COMING. those who have troubled the Church 11 and "sit in the throne of His glory." 12 Then the Kingdom, which, for these centuries, has been "hid in mystery, 13 shall be manifested in power and glory. 14 Then shall "the kingdom of the world become our Lord's and His Christ's," 15 and then shall the Kingdom be given (11) 2 Thes. 1:6-10. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you. 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power ; 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that be- lieve. Also Luke 19 :27. (12) Mat. 19:28. And Jeeus aid unto them. Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (13) Mat 13:11. He an- swered and said unto them, Be- cause it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the king- dom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Also Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10. (14) Mat. 13 :43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Also Luke 13:25-29. Rom. 8 :17. And If children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified to- gether. 18. For I reckon that the suf- ferings of this present time are not worthy to "be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19. For the earnest expecta- tion of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope; 21. Because the creature it* self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of Ihe children of God. 22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within our- selves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (15) Rev. 11:15. And the seventh angel sounded ; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ : and he shall reign for ever and ever. Dan. 7 :14. And there was given him dominion, and glory. THE KINGDOM STILL FUTURE. 87 unto the Saints of the Most High. 18 Therefore we pray, as Jesus taught us, "Thy Kingdom Come." The Church militant, which was begun on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) ends at the Rapture, before the Tribu- lation. The Kingdom begins with the Revelation, at the close of the Tribulation. It is the personal reign of Christ on earth. He was prophesied to be king of the Jews. Isa. 9 :6. He was born King of the Jews. Mat. 2 :2. He said he was the King of the Jews. Mat. 27:11. He was crucified as King of the Jews. Mat. 27 :37. He came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, saying, "The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand." Mark 1 :14-15. He said the Kingdom was among them. Luke 17:21, margin. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not. John 1:11. He would have set up the Kingdom (Mat. 23:37-39), but they rejected and crucified Him. However, God raised Him from the dead and set Him on high. 17 and a kingdom, that all people, sacrifice for sins for ever, sat nations, -and languages, should down on the right hand of God; serve him : his dominion is an 13. I?rom henceforth expect- everlasting dominion, which shall ing till his enemies be made not pass away, and his kingdom his footstool. that which shall not be de- Acts 2 :34. For David is not stroyed. ascended into the heavens : but (16) Dan. 7:27. And the he saith himself, The Lord said kingdom and dominion, and the unto my Lord, Sit thou on my greatness of the kingdom under right hand, the whole heaven, shall be given 35. Until I make thy foes thy to the people of the saints of the footstool. Most High, whose kingdom is an 36. Therefore let all the house everlasting kingdom, and all do- of Israel know assuredly, that minions shall serve and obey God hath made that same Je- him. sus, whom ye have crucified, both (17) Hftb. 10:12. But this Lord and Christ, man, after be hau offered one Also Mat 22 :44. / 88 JESUS IS COMING. He sent the Holy Ghost into the world, and under His power and guidance the apostles went out preaching the good news of the Kingdom (Acts 2, etc.) to the Jews first, 18 but they rejected it, and the disciples turned to the Gentiles. 19 Thus the Kingdom came nigh unto the Jews, who spurned it, and while it waits* 20 God visits "the Gen- tiles, to take out of them a people for His name" (Acts 15:14), breaking down the middle wall of partition to make of twain (all Jews and Gentiles who believe in His name) one new man, 21 that is, the Church, or Mystical Body of Christ. 22 *This we believe is the true explanation of this subject. The Kingdom did come "nigh" when Christ came, and had they received Him, it would have been manifested, but now it is in abeyance, or waiting until He comes again. However the Greek word VY'' U = engizo, which is trans- lated at hand in Mat. 3:2; 4:17: 10:7, and is come nigh in Luke 10:9-11, does not necessarily mean immediately near. For we find the same word used in Rom. 13:12: "The day is at hand," and in Heb. 10:25, "as ye see the day approach- ing" and in James 5:8, "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh," and in 1 Pet., 4: 7, "the end of all things is at hand," each of which passages are yet unfulfilled. So we see that the word engizo (is at hand) covers a period of more than 1800 years, and reaches unto the second coming of the Lord. (18) Acts 3:26. Unto you Also Acts 18:6 and 28:28. first God, having raised up his (20) Mat. 23:39. For I say Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, unto you, Ye shall not see me in turning away every one of henceforth, till ye shall say, you from his iniquities. Blessed is he that cometh in Rom. 1:16. For I am not the name of the Lord, ashamed of the gospel of Christ : (21) Eph. 2:14. For he is for it is the power of God unto our peace, who hath made both salvation to every one that be- one, and hath broken down the lieveth ; to the Jew first, and middle wall of partition between also to the Greek. */ Also Mat. 10:6. 15. Having abolished in his (19) Acts 13 :46. Then Paul flesh the enmity, even the law and Barnabas waxed bold, and of commandments contained in said, It was necessary that the ordinances; for to make in him- word of God should first have self of twain one new man, so been spoken to you : but seeing making peace. ye put it from you, and judge (22) Eph. 4:12. For the per- yourselves unworthy of everlast- feeling of the saints, for the ing life, lo, we turn to the Gen- work of the ministry, for the tiles. edifying oi the body of Christ : THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM. The Mystery. Thus the Church came in as a mystery, and was but rarely, if at all, spoken of in the Old Testament prophe- cies. For we read in Rom. 16:25 that it is a "mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," and in Eph. 3:3-6, "The mystery . . . which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, ' ' and in Col. 1 :24- 27 ..." Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest . . . the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles." It was this mystery of the Church which so puzzled the prophets and caused them to inquire and search diligently what the Spirit meant when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ. See 1 Pet. 1 :10-12. 23 They could un- 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph. 5 :23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church ; and he is the Saviour of the body. 24. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it ; 26. That be might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29. For no man ever yet bated his own flesh : but nour- isheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30. For w are memfbers of his body. . 31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32. This is' a great mystery : but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (23) 1 Pet. 1:10. Of which salvation the prophets have in- quired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you : 11. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified before- hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should fol- low. 12. Unto whom it was re- vealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now re- ported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven ; which things the angels desire to look into. 90 JESUS 1 8 COMING. derstand the glory of the Kingdom, which should follow, but could not understand the mystery, which has been re- vealed unto us, and which interested the angels; to- wit, a suffering Messiah and a persecuted Church. The Church is to be the Bride of Christ, which He is going to present unto Himself. Eph. 5:23-32. But now she is a Virgin of sorrow and affliction, a com- panion in suffering with her espoused Husband the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He said: "Because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you," and "if they have persecuted me, they will also per- secute you" (John 15:19-20), and "in the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33), and the apostle says, "yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12. See also John 17:14; 1 Thes. 3:3. 25 And this is perfectly consistent. For this world has murdered the Son of God, and is guilty of His blood, but the Father bears this insult to His matchless love and grace, patiently staying the day of vengeance, being long suffering and not willing that any should perish. 20 If He thus bears with the murderers of His Son, will He not bear with the persecutors of His Church? And this persecution will continue until Jesus comes and takes the Church away, 27 and saves her from the great hour of temptation (or trial), which shall come upon (24) 2 Cor. 11:2. For I am is not slack concerning his prom- jealous over you with godly jeal- ise, as some men count slack- ousy : for I have espoused you ness ; but is longsuffering to us- to one husband, that I may pre- ward, not willing that any should sent you as a chaste virgin to perish, but that all should come Christ. to repentance. (25) John 17:14. I have (27) 1 Tfoea. 4:16. For the given them thy word ; and the Lord himself shall descend from world hath hated them, because heaven with a shout with the , , , ,,, voice of the archangel, and with they are not of the world, even the trump of Qod * ' and the as I am not of the world. ,j ea( i j n Christ shall rise first ; 1 Thes. 3 :3. That no man 17. Then we which are alive should be moved by these at- and remain shall be caught up flictions : for yourselves know !?** *M V^S ^ that we are appointed thereunto. ^f ., ^^ (26) 2 Pet. 3:9. The Lord the Lord. THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM. 91 all the world, 28 when He shall recompense tribulation to them that have troubled her. 29 And this spirit of rebellion and persecution will continue, even through the tribula- tion 30 and up to the very day of the Lord, 31 when Christ shall be revealed in flaming fire, 32 with His Saints, to (28) Rev. 3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my pa- tience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (29) 2 Thes. 1:6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you ; (30) Rev. 16:9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these. 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. 14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the bat- tle of that great day of God Al- mighty. 21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a tal- ent and men blasphemed God be- cause of the plague of the hail ; for the plague thereof was ex- ceeding great. (31) 2 Pet. 3:1. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you ; In both which I stir up your pure minds by way of re- membrance ; 2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken be- fore by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour : 3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4. And 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. 5. For this they willingly are Ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water : 6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished : 7. But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, re- served unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of un- godly men. 8. But, beloved, be not igno- rant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thou- sand years, and a thousand years' as one day. 9. The Lord Is not slack con- cerning his promise, as some men count slackness ; but is long- suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. (32) 2 Thes. 1:7. And to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the ant- gels of his power in flaming fire, 8. Rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus : 92 JESUS IS COMING. execute judgment upon the earth. 33 So we see that there is no place in the whole earthly history of such a perse- cuted Church, for the Millennial Kingdom. For, in that time, "righteousness and peace" shall kiss each other, "truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look out of heaven." Psa, 85. "A King shall reign in righteousness, and Princes shall rule in judgment." Isa, 32 :1. With righteousness shall He judge the poor. Judah and Israel shall be restored and dwell safely. There shall be no harm nor destruction in all God's holy mountain, and even the animals shall be at peace. 34 Again, from all of these passages, and especially Isa. 60, we see that restored Israel and Jerusalem are to be the very central glory of the Millennial Kingdom. But God does not restore Israel and rebuild Zion, or Jerusalem, until He appears in His glory. "When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory." Psa. 102:16. And He does not build up 9. Who shall suffer punish- ment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10. When he shall come to bo glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at ia all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. (33) Jude 14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophe- sied of these, saying, behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints. 15. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which un- godly sinners have spoken against him. (34) Isa. 11:4. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth : and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his lo.'ns, and faith- fulness the girdle of his reins. 6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid ; and the calf and young lion and the fatling together ; and a little child shall lead them. 7. And the cow and the bear shall feed ; their young ones shal} lie down together : and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9. They shall not hurt nor de- stroy in all my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Rom. 8 :21. Because the crea- ture itself also shall be deliv- ered from the bondage of cor- ruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM. 93 Zion or the tabernacle of David until He has taken out the Church. 35 Thus we see a clear distinction between the suffering Church and the glorious Kingdom, which are separated by the Tribulation, to-wit: i < i ja w THE CHURCH. TRIBULATION p THE KINGDOM. See Diagram, page 72. The Church Shall Be Rewarded. But, do you ask: "Is the Church always to suffer and be persecuted?" Surely not. For she shall yet be married. And the light affliction shall work out a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the things which are not (yet) seen, 36 and the church shall be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which she suffers, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven. 37 Therefore we glory in 22. For we know that the 16. After this I will return, whole creation groaneth and and will build again the taber- travaileth in pain together until nacle of David, which is fallen now. down ; and I will build again 23. And not only they, but the ruins thereof, and I will set ourselves also, which have the it up : first-fruits of the Spirit, even 17. That the residue of men we ourselves groan within our- might seek after the Lord, and selves, waiting for the adoption. all the Gentiles, upon whom to wit, the redemption of our my name is called, saith the body. Lord who doeth all these things. Also Jer. 23:3-8 and 32:36- (sg) 2 Cor. 4:17. For our 44; Bzek. 34, 36 and 37 and ligM affllct ion, which is but for many others. a moment, worketh for us a far (35) Acts 15:13. And after more exceeding and eternal they had held their peace, James wei M of lo answered, saying, Men ana , _,.... , , brethren, hearken unto me: th . 18 ' Wh ,l ! e ,, we I0 k D0t ' *\ th ! 14. Simeon hath declared how g? ^n^ which* a^nOt^ enl Stilt ^ t? outV'ttnfa" < * thing, which .are seen people for his name. ar *. tei P<"-al : but the things 15. And to this agree the which are not seen are eternal, words of the prophets; as it is ( 3 ?) 2 Thes. 1:4. So that we written, ourselves glory in you in the 04 JESUS IS COMING. tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; land experience, hope. Rom. 5:3-4. And when Christ, who is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1) and our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. 38 If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him. 30 We shall reign on the earth. Rev. 5:10. Hence we conclude that the Church shall be recompensed in reigning, with Christ, over the Millennial Kingdom. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Lu. 12:32; Dan. 7:18-22-27. 0! then, let us pray as Jesus taught us: "Thy kingdom come." Nominal Christians. But, do you say, "The Church is not persecuted, and does, even now, enjoy comparative peace"? We answer, it is because the professing Church (and by this we include Roman Catholics, Greeks and all nomi- nal Christians in all perhaps 400,000,000) has conformed so largely to the world that the world has little, if any, controversy with her. Of what avail to God are nominal, cold-hearted, world- conforming Christians? He wants a separate and holy churches of God for your pa- 9. Who shall be punished with tlence and faith in all your per- everlasting destruction from the secutlons and tribulations that ye presence of the Lord, and from endure : the glory of his power ; 5. Which is a manifest token 10. When he shall come to be of the righteous Judgment of God, glorified In his saints, and to be that ye may be counted worthy admired in all them that believe of the kingdom of God, for which (because our testimony among ye also suffer : you was believed) in that day. . him in glory. (39) Rom. 8:17. And If chil- 7. And to you who are trou- dren> then heirs, heirs of God, bled rest with us, when the Lord an< j j o i n t heirs with Christ ; if Jesus shall be revealed from so De that we suffer with him, heaven with his mighty angels, that we may be also glorified to- 8. In flaming fire taking ven- gether. geance on them that know not 2 Tim. 2 :12. If we suffer, we God, and that obey not the gos- shall also reign with him; If we pel of our Lord Jesus Christ: deny him, he also will deny us THE TRUE CHURCH. 95 people, and the command is, "Come out and be ye sepa- rate." 2 Cor. 6:14-18. We believe that the birds of the air and the leaven in the parables of Mat. 13 represent the children of the wicked one, or hypocrites, which have lodged in the Church ? and the false doctrines which have crept in and so per- " x vaded the professing Church that it has, in the main, be come merely formal and nominal. God wants zealous Christians, in whom the "Word of Life shall burn as it did in Jeremiah's bones. And are not the number of these few, even today? The professing Church is luke-warm, and, we fear, al- most ready to be spued out of the Master's mouth. But, thanks be unto His name, there are those who are rebuked and chastened, and who are buying gold and white raiment and anointing their eyes that they may see, and who will overcome and sit down with Christ in His throne. Rev. 3:14-22. Tt True Church. There is truly a Church, and it is THE BODY OF CHRIST,* one and indivisible,* 1 composed of all true be- lievers in Him. 42 It may be called a church within, or among the churches the wheat among the chaff. And let us remember that this true Church of Christ is appointed unto affliction, and that the intervals of rest (Acts 9:31) only strengthen her to endure new and varied forms of persecution. This has been her history, and we may ex- pect it will be her future, amid the scoffers, evil men and seducers of the last times. 43 (40) Eph. 1 :22. And hath whether we be Jews or Gen- put all things under his feet, and tiles, whether we be bond or gave him to be the head over all free ; and have been all made to things to the church, drink into one Spirit. 23. Which is his body, the ful- (42) Eph. 4:11. And he gave ness of him that filleth all in some, apostles ; and some, proph- all. ets ; and some, evangelists ; and (41) 1 Cor. 12:12. For as the some, pastors and teachers; body is one, and hath many 12. For the perfecting of the members, and all the members saints, for the work of the min- of that one body, being many, istry, for the edifying of tlie re one body : so also is Christ. body of Christ. 13. For by one Spirit are we (43) 2 Pet. 3 :3. Knowing this all baptized into one body, first, that there shall come iu 96 JE8D8 18 COMING. And yet it is her blessed privilege, in all her affliction, to know that she travails in the birth of souls, 44 which are born from above by the Holy, Ghost (John 3), and that the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom, which she preaches is the power of God unto salvation unto all who believe. 45 The Bride of Christ. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanc- tify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." In this precious passage (Eph. 5) the Church, as the Bride of Christ, is typified by the most intimate, tender and sacred relationship known among the children of men. Abraham's servant went into a far country (Gen. 24) to seek a bride for Isaac, who was the honored type of Christ as a sacrifice. Gen. 22. So has the Holy Spirit come into the world to seek a Bride for Jesus. The ser- vant said, "Hinder me not." So the Holy Ghost is striv- ing with the world, and pleading with cold-hearted pro- fessors, that He may hasten the presentation of the brida to the Bridegroom. See Mat. 22:2-10. Rebekah said, "I will go." So the Bride should be the last days scoffers, -walking after their own lusts. 1 Tim. 4 :1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils - 2 Tim. 3 :1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boast- ers, proud, blasphemers, diso- bedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. 'Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, in- continent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ' 4. Traitors, heady, highmind- ed, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God ; 5 - Having a form of godli- ness . but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Also 2 Tim 4 -1-5 , .... . . ' ' ( *, V T * My " ttle . f whom , J * ra y a11 * 1 b * ou> Also * Cor - 4 :15 ; Phile. 10. (45) Rom. 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that belleveth ; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. 97 yearning to go. God has made the wedding and prepared the feast, and all things (except the Bride) are ready for the rapturous meeting, and blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19 :9. 0! that the Church would work a hundredfold more earnestly for the conversion of souls and the edifying of the body of Christ, that the bride might be complete, and thus hasten the coming of her Lord, 46 ever listening to catch the midnight cry: "Behold the Bridegroom cometh!" and "so be ready to go out to meet Him." Mat. 25:6. "O! I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine; He brings a poor vile sinner into His 'house of wine.' I stand upon His merit I know no safer stand, Not e'en where glory dwelleth in Immanuel's land. The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom's face; I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of Grace; Not at the crown He giveth, but on His pierced hand The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel's land." (46) 2 Pet. 3 :11. Seeing then 12. Looking for and hasting that all these things shall bedis- the coming of the day of God, solved, what manner of persons wherein the heavens being on ought ye to be in all holy con- fire shall be dissolved, and the versation and godliness. elements shall melt with fer- vent heat? CHAPTER XI. TRIBULATION RESURRECTION JUDGMENT. The Tribulation. We use this term to designate the whole period of earthly history, between the Eapture and the Revelation, or be- tween the Church and the Millennial Kingdom. It will not altogether be a time of tribulation, for in it "they shall rejoice and send gifts one to another" (Rev. 11:10), and shall say "peace and safety." 1 Thes. 5:3. We believe that it will be comparatively a short season, because the 6,000 years and the times, or year-days, of prophecy have nearly run out. Doubtless it embraces the last one of Daniel's seventy weeks, 1 for the reason that then God be- gins to deal with Israel again, after He has taken the Church away, 2 and yet it is probable that it includes much more than the seven years of that week. It is certain that there will be in it a period of un- equalled trial, sorrow and calamity, 3 spiritual darkness and open wickedness. 4 It is the night of the world. 6 But the (1) Dan. 9:27. And he shall down; and I will build again confirm the covenant with many the ruins thereof, and I will set for one week : and in the midst " up of the week he shall cause the 17. That the residue of men sacrifice and the oblation to might seek after the Lord, and ceas'e, and for the overspreading all the Gentiles, upon whom of abominations he shall make it mv name is called, saith the desolate, even until the consum- Lord, who doeth all these things, mation, and that determined < 3 ) Mat - 24:21. For then shall be poured upon the deso- sha11 be 8 reat tribulation, snch l a t e as was not since the beginning (2) Acts 15:13. And after of the world to thls tlme - no - they had held their peace, James nor ever sha11 be - answered, saying, Men and Also Dan - 12 :1< brethren, hearken unto me : (4) 2 Pet. 3 :3. Knowing this 14. Simeon hath declared how first, that there shall come In God at the first did visit th the last days scoffers, walking Gentiles', to take out of them after their own lusts. a neople for his name. - * And s-aylnig, Where is the 15. And to this agree the promise of his comintr? for siace words of the prophets ; as it Is the fathers fell asleep, all things written, continue as they were from the 16. After this T will return, beginning of the creation, and will build again the taber- Also Luke 18:7. nacle of David, which is fallen (5) John 9:4. I must work (98) THE RESURRECTION. 99 true Church, which is not of the night,* being watchful and prayerful, will be accounted worthy to escape it, by the Rapture, and to stand before the Son of Man, 1 while o*^ a third part of Israel will be brought through it, 8 and for the elect's sake the days of this culminating tribulation shall be shortened 9 by the revelation of Christ. 10 From Isa., chapters 24 to 28, an idea may be gained of the ter- rible character of this period, during which Antichrist will also be revealed (see p. 107). Some, especially from the remnant of Israel, will accept of Christ and become His witnesses, and be slain by Antichrist. These we call the tribulation saints, who are to be raised at the close of the great tribulation, as the gleanings of the great harvest of the first resurrection. The Resurrection. In regard to the Resurrection, we would say that the literal rendering of 1 Cor. 15:23, is "but each one in his own band." It seems plain that the resurrection of those "who are Christ's at His coming," includes both those who consti- tute the Bride, who are raised at the Rapture, when Christ tke works of him that sent me, (8) Zech. 13:9. And I will while it is day : the night com- bring the third part through the eth, when no man can work. fire, and will refine them as sil- Luke 17 :34. I tell you, in ver is refined, and will try thorn that night there shall be two as &old is tried : they shall call men In one bed ; the one shall be on m ? name, and I will hear taken, and the other shall be them: I will say, It is my peo- l e ft_ pie ; and they shall say, The (6) 1 Thes. 6:4. But ye Ij rd ** my God ' brethren, are not in darkness, tv (9) _ Mat ' ? 4 : ?2. And except that that day should overtake ^ ose d * ys ,., sllould , b shortened, you as a thief. there should no flesh be saved: ... ... .. . .,. but for the elect s sake those 5 Ye are all the children of d shal , fee shortened . light, and the children of the (1Q) 2 Thes , t . 7 And tQ you day : we are not of the night, nor wno are troubled rest with us, of darkness. when the Lord Jesus shall be (7) Luke 21:36. Watch ye revealed from heaven with his therefore, and pray always, that ml j? h ^, *"*!& ye tnay be accounted worthy to ^ jJ *. Saffi , escape all these things that shall the ^^ shall consume with the come to pass, and to stand be- B pMt of his mouth, and shall fore the Son of man. destroy with the brightness of Also Rev. 3 :10. his coming. 100 ' JE8U8 18 COMING. comes into the air; and the Old Testament saints, 11 the friends of the Bridegroom, 12 who doubtless are raised in a different band from the Church, see Rev. 6:9-ll, 13 and also those who believe and suffer during the tribulation, 14 who will be raised at the Revelation (when Christ comes to the earth), to take part with Him in the Millennial Kingdom. 15 (11) Job 19:25. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he sball stand at tbe latter day upon tbe earth : 26. And though after my skin worms destroy tbis body, yet in my flesh sball I see God: 27. Wbom I shall see for my- s'elf, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me. Isa. 26 :19. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body sball they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust : for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Hos. 13 :14. I will ransom them from the power of the grave ; I will redeem them from death : O death, I will be thy plagues ; O grave, I will be thy destruction : repentance shall be hid from mine eyes'. Ezek. 37:12. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God ; Be- hold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my peo- ple, and brought you up out of your graves, 14. And shall put my Spirit in you, and ye shall live; and I shall place you in your own land : then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord. Also Heb. 11 :39-40. (12) John 3:28. Ye your- selves bear me witness, that 1 said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom : but the friend of the bridegroom, which stand- eth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bride- groom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (13) Rev. 6:9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held : 10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on tnem that dwell on the earth? 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them ; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow serv- ants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (14) Rev. 13 :15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (15) Rev. 20:4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them : and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither bad received JUDGMENT. 101 This latter we represent by "R. T." on the diagram. Then, the great harvest of the first Resurrection or the Resurrection of Life includes: CHRIST THEY THAT ARE CHRIST'S AT HIS COMING. THE FIRST FRUITS. THE CHURCH AND OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS. THE TRIBULATION SAINTS. THE INGATHERING. THE GLEANING. The second Resurrection, or Resurrection of Judgment, 16 occurs after the Millennium, and includes the remaining dead." Judgment. We often hear Post-millennialists use the expression "General Judgment," thereby conveying the idea of some future day in which all mankind will simultaneously ap- pear before God to be judged. Tits mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands : and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thou- sand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec- tion : on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thou- sand years. Also Rom. 11 :15. (16) John 5:29. And shall come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (judgment). (17) Rev. 20:12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God : and the books were opened ; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it ; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man accord- Ing to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast Into the lalie of fire. This is the second death. 102 JESUS IS COMING. The expression is not in the Scriptures. Pre-millen- nialists believe that the Judgment is general, only in the sense that all are judged but not all at the same time. The Judgment of believers, as sinners, is past, being accomplished in Christ on the cross. "He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into con- demnation (Greek, Judgment) ; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24. See also John 3:17-19 (R. V.) Judged instead of condemned. 18 There is a Judgment day coming, not a day of twenty- four hours, but a long series of years. Day is used to designate such a period in 2 Cor. 6 :2 ; Eph. 6 :13, and Heb. 3:8. 19 The "Hour" in John 5:25, has been over eighteen centuries long. So "the hour" in John 5:28 may be cen- turies of years. This "Day of Judgment"** is also called "The Day of the Lord," 6 "The Last Day,"* 5 and "The Great Day."* It is ushered in with plagues 20 and closes in fire, 21 be- aMat. 10:15; 11:22; 11:24; 12:36; Mar. 6:11; 2 Pet. 2:9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17. blsa. 2:12; 13:6, 9; 34:8; Lam. 2:22; Ezk. 13:5; Joel 1:15; 2:1; 3:14; Amos 5:18; Obd. 15; Zeph. 1:7, 8, 18; 2:2, 3; Zech. 14:1; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; 1 Thes. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10. c John 6:39, 40. 44, 54; 11:24; 2 Tim. 3:1. dJer. 30:7; Hos. 1:11; Joel 2:11, 31; Zeph. 1:14; Mai. 4:5; Jude 6; Rev. 6:17; 16:14; Acts 2:20. (18) John 3 :17. For God sent unto you the whole armour of uot the Son into the world to God, that ye may be able to judge the world ; but that the withstand In the evil day, and world should be saved through having done all, to stand, him. Heb. 3 :8. Harden not your 18. He that believeth on him hearts, as in the provocation, in Is not judged: he that believeth the A *7 ot temptation in the not hath been judged already, wilderness, because he hath not believed on . < 20 > 2 Thes 1:6. Seeing i n fTd f ^ Dly beg tten a re r C i o g m t p S en U s S e TiouSn Z SonofGod - them that trouble you; (19) 2 Cor. 6:2. (For he 7. And to you who are trou- saith, I have heard thee in a bled rest with us, when the Lord time accepted, and in the day Jesus shall be revealed from of salvation have I succoured heaven with his mighty angels, thee : behold, now is the ac- 8 - In flaming fire taking ven- cepted time ; behold, now is the seance on them that know not day of salvation.) Go , d - and th t bey D0t e *?*- pel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Eph. 6 :13. Wherefore take 9. who shall be punished with THE JUDGMENTS. 103 tween which lies a long season of the "sure mercies of David," 22 or the Millennium. 23 In it there will be four visible judgments, in the following order: Four Judgments. I. The Judgment of the Saints for their works. 24 This is not on earth. Compare 1 Thes. 4:13-18, with 2 Thes. 1:6-10; Rev. 19 :11-16. See (20) (32) and (33). These glorified Saints receive their judgment undeniably before that of the ungodly. See Mat. 25:14-30. The everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power ; 10. When he shall come to be Glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Also Rev. 19:11-21. (21) Rev. 20:10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (22) Isa. 55 :3. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear,, and your soul shall live ; and I will make an everlasting cove- nant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Acts 13 :34. And as concern- ing that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to re- turn to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (23) Rev. 20:4. And I saw thrones', and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them : and I saw the souls of t.hem that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads. or in their bands : and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thou- sand years were finished. This is the first resurrection*. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec- tion : on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thou- sand years. (24) 1 Cor. 4 :5. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts : and then shall every man have praise of God. 1 Cor. 3 :13. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, be- cause it shall be revealed by fire ; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss : but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 2 Cor. 5 :10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ ; that every one may receive the things done in Jiis body, according to that he hath done, whether it 6e good or bad. Also Rom. 14:10-12. 104 JESUS IS COMING. judgment of the servants occurs before the judgment of the nations. Mat. 25:31-46. See also 1 Pet. 4:17-18. 25 II. The Judgment of the living nations, who are upon the earth at the Revelation. Jesus is Judge of the quick (or living) and dead. 26 The Church or Saints, having been before caught up in the Rapture, come with Christ to execute judgment 27 upon the world or living nations. 28 This is the judgment of the quick, or those who are living upon the earth, when Christ comes at the Revelation. He separates the sheep from the goats, gathering out all things that doth offend (Mat. 13: 41-42), and sets up His kingdom (verse 43). The third party, His brethren, are the Israelites, 29 who are never to be reckoned among the nations. 30 Then follows the Millennium, which is one continuous day of Judgment (Acts 17:31), when the righteous Judge will be upon earth (2 Tim. 4:8), and when judgment shall (25) 1 Pet. 4:17. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God : and if it first begin at us, what shall the end \>e of them that obey hot the gospel of God? (26) Acts 10:42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to te the Judge of quick and dead. Also 2 Tim. 4 :1 ; 1 Pet. 4:5. (27) 1 Cor. 6:2. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye un- worthy to judge the smallest matters ? Alsb Jude 14-15. (28) Mat. 13:40. As there- fore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire ; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them Which do iniquity ; 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire : there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (29) Psa. 122 :8. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace lie within thee. (30) Num. 23 :7. And he took up his parable and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the moun- tains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. 8. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? 9. For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him : lo, the peo- ple shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the na- tions. THE JUDGMENTS. 105 be laid to the line and righteousness to the plummet. Isa. 28:17. in. The judgment of the dead at the Great White Throne. 81 IV. The Judgment of angels, 34 into fire "prepared for (31) Rev. 20:12. And I saw the dead, small and great, staad before God : and the books were opened ; and another book was opened, which is the book of life : and the dead were judged out of those things which were writ- ten in the books, according to their works. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it ; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them : and they were judged every man accord- ing to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 2 Pet. 2 :9. The Lord know- etb how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judg- ment to be punished. Also Mat. 10:15; 11:21-24; 12:41-42; Rom. 2:15-16. (32) 1 Thes. 4:15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the com- ing of the Lord shall not pre- vent them.' which are asleep. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18. Wherefore comfort one an- other with these words. (33) Rev. 19:11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse ; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns ; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood : and his name is called The "Word of God. 14. And the armies' which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. And out of his mouth go- eth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations ; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron : and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he hath on his ves- ture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that wor- shipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (34) 2 Pet. 2:4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to bell, and delivered them into chains' of darkness, to be re- served unto judgment. 106 JESUS 18 COMING. the devil and his angels." The ungodly go there first. Compare Rev. 19:20 with Rev. 20:7-10; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6. 3B Such events, requiring intervals of time, preclude the idea expressed in the term, "general judgment." The "Day of the Lord" has two aspects, to-wit: Judg- ment on God's enemies, and deliverance and blessing on God's people. 36 So we have the Judgment: Of believers, as to their character, on the cross. Of believers, as to their works, at the Judgment seat of Christ. Of the living nations at the Revelation. Of the ungodly at the Great White Throne. Jude 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Also 1 Cor. 6:3; Rev. 20:10. (35) Rev. 19:20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had re- ceived the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brim- stone. Rev. 20 :7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle : the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and com- passed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city : and fire came down from God out cf heaven, and devoured them. 10. And the devil that de- ceived them was cast into tha lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6. (36) Isa. 2:2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills ; and all nations shall flow unto it 3. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths : for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 17. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Also Isa. 4:1-6; Joel 2:21- 27, 31; 3:12-17; Dan. 7:9- 14 ; Zech. 14 :1-21 ; Zepb. 3 :8-9 ; Mai. 4:1-3. CHAPTER XII, Antichrist. This name introduces to us one of the most solemn and foreboding subjects in the Word of God. An antichrist one absolutely opposed to Jesus Christ we are told, shall come. 1 The spirit of antichrist is already in the world, de- nying the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, either in the past 2 or in the future. 8 This spirit of antichrist, now possessed by many, will culminate in one person, the Antichrist, who will deny both the Father and the Son. 4 That he is a single individual is plainly taught in 2 Thes. 2, where he is called "that man of sin" . . . "the son of perdition" "that wicked," or properly, "the law- less one." As Christ is the express image of God, 5 so it appears that antichrist is the culminating manifestation of Satan, "the prince of this world." 6 His coming is "after the working (energy, or inward working) of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders and deceivableness of unrighteousness." (1) 1 John 2 :18. Little chil- This is a deceiver and an anti- dren, it is the last time : and as Christ. ye have heard that antichrist (4) 1 John 2:22. Who is a shall come, even now are there liar but he that denieth that Je- many antichrists; whereby we sus is the Christ? He is anti- know that it is the last time. Christ, that denieth the Father and the Son. (2) 1 John 4:3. And every /*, TT,^ -, .o TITV.^ K *i.- rs&i is not of God: and this is that upholdlng all tnings b the word spirit of antichrist, "hereof ye of hls ^ e had b have heard that it should come; hlmself d QUr , * and even now already is it in down on the rjght hand O ' f the the world. Majesty on high. (3) 2 John 7. For many (6) John 14 :30. Hereafter I deceivers are entered into the will not talk much with you: world, who confess not that Je- for the prince of this world com- SUB Christ is come in the flesh. eth, and hath nothing In me. (107) 108 JESUS IS COMING. He will be a "strong (or inward working) delusion," to them who believe not the truth. 7 This mystery of Lawlessness (so the Greek) already worked in the days of the apostle, but there has been a hindering power, which, we believe, is the Holy Spirit, in His present manifestation, or office, viz.: as the re- prover of the world and gatherer of the Church. When He, the restraining one, is taken out of the way (or out of the midst), at the rapture of the Church, then shall the mystery be unveiled, and the Lawless one be revealed. (Verses 7 and 8). He will be received, even by the Jews, 8 who, having re- turned to their own land and rebuilt their temple, will make a treaty with him, called by the prophet "a covenant with death and an agreement with hell." 9 And antichrist (7) 2 Thes. 2 :3. Let no man deceive you by any means : for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition ; 4. Who opposeth and exaltcth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped ; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 6. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be re- vealed in his time. 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work : only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8. And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to bought by the manifestation of his coming ; 9. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. 10. And with all deceivable- ness of unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they re- ceived not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11. And for this' cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe 'a lie : 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in un- righteousness. (8) John 5 :43. I am come la my Father's name, and ye re- ceive me not : if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (9) Isa. 28 :14. Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this peo- ple which is in Jerusalem. 15. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement ; when the overflow- ing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us : for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves. 16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation : he that believ- eth Khali not make haste. 17. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet : and the hail shall ANTICHRIST. 109 will exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (the rebuilt temple at Jerusalem) and sheweth himself that he is God. 2 Thes. 2 :4. Doubtless he is the king de- scribed in Dan. 11:36, etc., 10 who shall do according to his own will and magnify himself above every god. Again, he is seen as the beast described in Rev. ISill-lS 11 whose number is the number of a man, 666, and who performs "great wonders and deceiveth them that dwell upon the earth," by means of his miracles, and has the power to kill those who will not worship the image of the beast. And again he is seen in Lucifer, or the day star, of Isa. 14, 12 of whom the king of Babylon was a type, and who sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the biding place. 18. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand ; when the overflowing scourge shall pas's through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (10) Dan. 11:36. And the king shall do according to his will ; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indig- nation be accomplished : for that that is determined shall be done. (11) Rev. 13:11. And I be- held another beast coming up out of the earth ; and he had two horns like a lamb, and -he spake as a dragon. 12. And he exerciseth wnen t he Lord shall bring they said, Is not this Joseph's again Zion. ""(I) Mat. 11:27. All things (9) 1 Cor 13:12. For now are delivered unto me of my we see through a glass, darkly: Father: and no man knoweth the but then face * face: now I Son, but the Father; neither know in P art : but then sha11 * knoweth any man the Father, know even as also * am Known, stive the Son, and he to whom- (10) Rom. 9:28. For he will soever the Son will reveal him. finish the work, and cut it short (7) 1 John 3 :2. Beloved, in righteousness : because a PREACH THE WORD. 115 Post-millennialism exalts the Church. Pre-millennialism exalts Jesus and fills the heart of the believer with a LIVING, PERSONAL, COMING Savior. Post-millennialists, though ACKNOWLEDGING that the Second Advent of Christ is the very POLE STAK of the Church, have little heart in it, and are disposed to say very little about it. This is natural and perfectly con- sistent for those who believe the event is at least a thou- sand years away. They very seldom preach or talk about it. Preach tie Word. What a contrast to Paul, who charged Timothy to PREACH THE WORD (2 Tim. 4:2);* and when writing to Titus, of the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus, he said: "THESE THINGS SPEAK." Ch. 2:15. And again, when writing to the Thessalonians of the de- scent of the Lord and the rapture of the church, he said: "WHEREFORE COMFORT (or exhort) ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS/' Ch. 4:18; see also 2 Tun. 3:16; Heb. 10:25; 2 Pet. 1:19. 12 We ask our post-millennial brethren, Why do you not give the Church these comforting words, this "meat in * "I bear full witness, in presence of God and Christ Jesus "who is about to be judging living and dead, both as to His forthshining and His kingdom proclaim the Word." Rotherham's N. T. from the Gr. text of Tregelles. short work will the Lord make for Instruction in righteousness, upon the earth. TT . (11) Isa. 4:4. When the . eb " 1 : . 25 - , Not *<**** Lord shall have washed away the assembling of ourselves to- the filth of the daughters of ZIon. ? ethe j\ as the manner of some and shall have purged the blood ts '' but ex ^tlng one another: of Jerusalem from the midst and so much the more, as ye see thereof by the spirit of judg- tte day aPP^hing. inent, and by the spirit of burn- 2 Pet. 1 :19. We have also a ing. more sure word of prophecy ; Also Zech. 14. whereunto ye do well that ye (12) 2 Tim. 3:16. All Scrip- take heed, as unto a light that ture ig given by inspiration of shineth in a dark place, until God, and ?'s profitable for doc- the day dawn, and the daystat trine, for reproof, for correction, arise la your hearts. 116 JESUS IS COMING. due season?" "Blessed is that servant whom His Lord when He cometh shall find so doing." Lu. 12 :43. Ah! brethren, post-millennialism is hiding this STAR OB HOPE from the church, and incurring thereby a responsi- bility that God alone can estimate. The Church is lan- guishing because of this neglected truth. Solemn Warning. We beg of you to heed the following solemn words from Dr. Hugh McNeill: "My reverend brethren, watch, preach the coming of Jesus. I charge you, in the name of our common Master, PREACH THE COMING OP JESUS; solemnly and affectionately, in the name of God, I charge you, PREACH THE COMING OF JESUS. WATCH ye, therefore, lest, coming suddenly, He find the porter sleeping." Pre-millennialism has a vital life in it, and gives the dis- ciple a real love and relish for the Word of God, which opens up to him like a new book. Jlven Dr. Brown recognizes this, and he says: "Pre- millennialists have done the Church a real service by call- ing attention to the place which the second advent holds in the Word of God and the scheme of divine truth."* Many have we heard say, "Why, the Bible is another book to me since I accepted this truth." And though one is almost lost in the unfolding majesty and infinity of God's plans revealed therein, yet do we find it such a store- house of truth and comfort, that continual study ever gives us richer food. It is the MOST PRACTICAL DOCTRINE in the Christian faith, for "every man that hath this hope in Him (Christ) puri- fieth himself even as He (Christ) is pure." 1 John 3:3. And do we not want PRACTICAL HOLINESS? Again, this doctrine when received into the heart is a mighty power to separate one from the love of the world. And were it thoroughly believed and preached in the Church, she would readily give of her substance so liber- ally that we should not be begging for money to sustain our missions. *The Second Advent, Page 13. AN INSPIRING DOCTEINE. 117 It was this doctrine that inspired the sainted Bliss, and gave his songs such favor. How all of us love to sing "WHEN JESUS COMES," or "HOLD THE FORT FOB I AM COMING." The Church and the people want this truth, and God wants them to have it, we are assured, by the manifest interest and attention with which He blesses its presentation. CHAPTER XT7. SOME OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. No. I. It Discourages Missions. It is objected that this doctrine discourages missions. This is not true. The missionary spirit among the evan- gelists of to-day is a sufficient answer to this. And let us name, among the missionaries who held this faith, Ben Ezra, Joseph Wolf, James McGregor Bertram, L. D. Mans- field, Gonsalves, Dr. Kelley and Hewitson. "This was the hope that inspired Heber, the great mis- sionary bishop of the English Church, who gave us that glorious missionary hymn, 'From Greenland's Icy Moun- tains/ and who spent his strength and rested from his la- bors 'on India's coral strand!' "This was the hope that energized Gutzlaff, the opener of China, and Bettleheim, the opener of Japan; that inspired the noble Duff, who, under its influence, woke moderate Scotland from its lethargy, and was the pioneer of his in- domitable race in India. This was the hope that inspired and cheered and ever joyed McCheyne and our own Poor, and Lowrie, and Rankin, and Lowenthal, and a host of others." Mr. Lord affirms that among missionaries of all denomi- nations, there is as great proportion of pre-millennialists, as there is among the ministry at home. They earnestly labor, as did the apostle, to save some from the wrath to come. 1 (1) Rom. 11 :14. If by any selves shew of us what manner means I may provoke to emula- of entering in we had unto you, tlon them which are my flesh, and how ye turned to God from and might save some of them. idols to srve the living and true 1 Cor. 9 :22. To the weak God ; became I as weak, that I might 10. And to wait for his Son gain the weak : I am made all from heaven, whom he raised things to all men, that I might from the dead, even Jesus, which by all means save some. delivered us from the wrath to 1 Thes. 1 :9. For they them- come. (118) OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 119 No. II. It Discourages Work. It is objected that it discourages work. This is most inconsistent and untrue, for the very essence of the doctrine is to WATCH, WORK AND WAIT, and to work NOW for the night cometh when no man can work. 2 No. III. So Many Unsaved Friends. Some object that they have so many unsaved friends, they cannot wish Jesus to come. WORK THEN, for we read "all that my Father giveth me shall come to me" (John 6:37-39), and whosoever will may come. 3 Knowing the terror (fear) of the Lord, let us per- suade men. 2 Cor. 5:11. The Antedeluvians would not heed the preaching of Noah, and even Lot's kindred (his sons-in-law) would not go with him out of Sodom. So there will be those who will not accept of Christ. But of all who believe in Him 4 not one will be lost. 6 The Israelites were often led to repent- ance, in the midst of adversity and calamity, and so if our friends will not be entreated to accept of Christ now, it is perhaps possible that they may do so under the visible judgments of God, during the Tribulation. But whether they will or not, let us consider, that the great mass of humanity are engulfed in the maelstrom of sin, which is sweeping its millions down to graves of de- Jas. 5:20. Let him know, that (4) John 1:12. But as many be which converteth the sinner as received him, to them gave he from the error of his ways shall power to become the sons of God, save a soul from death, and shall even to them that believe on hide a multitude of sins. his name : (2) John 9:4. I must work (5) John 10:27. My sheep the works of him that sent me, hear my voice, and I know them, while it is day : the night com- and they follow me : eth, when no man can work. 28. And I give unto them eter- See also page 143. nal life ; and they shall never (3) Rev. 22 :17. And the perish, neither shall any man Spirit and the bride say, Come. pluck them out of my hand. And let him that heareth say, Mat. 7 :13. Enter ye in at Come. And let him that is the strait gate : for wide is the athirst come. And whosoever gate, and broad is the way, that will, let him take the water of leadeth to destruction, and many life freely. there be which go in thereat 120 JESUS IS COMING. struction (Mat. 7:13), and compared to them, in numbers, the true believers are but a handful. In the Millennium all this will be changed, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9), and all men shall bow to the righteous scepter of King Immanuel. 6 We would not sacrifice the hundreds of lives upon a passenger train, to save the life of even a FRIEND who will- fully exposed himself to danger upon the track; and are not all men our brothers? and shall we not yearn to save them from the tide of spiritual death? Oh! then, let us cry with the Holy Spirit: "Even so come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22 :20. For when He comes the work will be cut short in righteousness. 7 No. IV. My Kingdom Is Not of This World. It is objected that Jesus said: "My Kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36. True! not of the spirit of the world (1 John 2 :15-17) ; just as believers are not of the world. John 15 :19. The correct rendering of the pas- sage is, "My Kingdom is not (oc) out of this world." That is, it does not emanate from this world. He is not (oc) out of this world. 8 Both He and His Kingdom are from above. 9 But it will be set up on this earth, in accordance (6) Isa. 45:22. Look unto and shall be called the Son of me, and be ye saved, all the ends the Highest ; and the Lord God of the earth : for I am God, and shall give unto him the throne there is none else. of his father David : 23. I have sworn by myself, 33. And he shall reign over the word is gone out of my the house of Jacob for ever ; and mouth in righteousness, and of his kingdom there shall be shall not return, That unto me no end. ,every knee shall bow, every Also Rom. 14 :11 ; Mic. 4 :l-7. Itongue shall swear. (7) Rom. 9 :28. For he will Phil. 2 :10. That at the name finish the work, and cut if short of Jesus every knee should bow, In righteousness : because a short of things in heaven, and things work will the Lord make upon In earth, and things under the the earth, earth; (8) John 8:23. And he said 11. And that every tongue unto them, Ye are from beneath ; should confess that Jesus Christ I am from above : ye are of this is Lord, to the glory of God the world ; I am not of this world. Father. (9) Col. 3 :1. If ye then be Luke 1 :32. He shall be great, risen with Christ, seek those OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 121 with the prayer which He taught us "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." Luke 11 :2. 10 Earthly kingdoms are corrupted by the deception of Satan. But in the Millennial Kingdom he will not deceive them, for he shall be bound. 11 There is nothing essentially sinful in matter. Adam was sinless before his fall and he had a material body. Christ has a material body and is without sin. The earth was cursed because of sin and the spirit of the world clings to sin. 12 But when the curse is removed, 13 and all things that offend are gathered out of the kingdom, 14 then shall things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Gal. 4 :26. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (10) Dan. 2:44. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed : and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Dan. 7:18. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the king- dom for ever, even for ever and ever. Jer. 23 :5. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dweli safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (11) Rev. 20:1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain In his hand. 2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which Is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3. And cast him into the bot- tomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled : and after that he must be loosed a little season. (12) Rom. 1:32. Who, know- ing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (13) Rev. 22:3. And there shall be no more curse : but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it ; and his serv- ants shall serve him. (14) Mat. 13:41. The Son of man shall send forth his an- gels 1 , and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do in- iquity. 122 JESUS IS COMING. all creation have that for which it groans, 15 and the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 16 No. V. The Kingdom Within You. It is objected, that the kingdom of God is not material and visible, but that it is spiritual and invisible. In sup- port of this the following words of Jesus in Luke 17 :20-21 are cited: "When He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said: The kingdom of God cometh not with observa- tion; neither shall they say, lo, here! or lo, there! for be- .hold, the kingdom of God is within you." Observation should be translated "careful watching 1 ," see Dr. Adam Clarke, or "narrow watching," see Rotber- ham. The marginal, and better reading for "within you" is "among you," see Rotherham, Wilson, Prof. Whitting, and others. He did not say that the kingdom of God was within, or in the hearts of those wicked Pharisees, but that it was among them, viz. : within the Jewish nation. As Bengel states it, "within is here used, not in any respect of the heart of individual Pharisees, .... but in respect to the whole Jewish people. The King, Messiah, and therefore the kingdom is here : ye see and ye hear." The sense, then, is as follows: The kingdom of God cometh not with "careful watching." That is, not in such a way as to be discerned only by sagacious critics, nor is it (15) Rom. 8 :19. For the travaileth in pain together until earnest expectation of the crea- now. ture waiteth for the manifesta- 23. And not only they, but tion of the sons of God. ourselves also, which have the 20. For the creature was flrstfruits of the Spirit, even made subject to vanity, not we ourselves groan within our- willingly, but by reason of him selves, waiting the adoption, who hath subjected the same in to tcit, the redemption of our hope ; body. 21. Because the creature it- d6) Mat. 13 :42. And shall self also shall be delivered from cast them into a furnace of fire : the bondage of corruption into ^SSuJf^St .?*. walllng and the glorious liberty of the chil- "Jf ',& snS ' the righteous shine forth as the sun In the 22. For wo know that the kingdom of their Father. Who whole creation groaneth and hath ears to hear, let him hear. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 123 to be seen only by those who are scrupulously watching for it. They shall not say, Behold here or there, for the king* dom of God is among you, to-wit : it was then visibly pres- ent among them, in the person of Jesus the King. And so it will be visibly present when He comes again. 17 It did not, and will not, need scrupulous watching to discern it, Had they received Him with faith, instead of (nar- rowly) watching Him with deceitful spies, 18 they might have realized that their King was then visibly present, and ready to usher in the universal manifestation of the king- dom, which had been seen by the favored disciples of the Mount. 19 How gladly He would have then fully mani- fested Himself as King, and established His Kingdom (among them, is shown by His words of tender yearning in Mat. 23:37-39: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gath- ereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." He came in His Father's name; but the Israelites to whom He spoke would not receive Him. 20 (17) Rev. 6 :16. And said to until the Son of man be risen the mountains and rocks, Fall on again from the dead. as, and hide us from the face of 2 Pet. 1 :16. For we have not faim that sltteth on the throne, followed cunningly devised fa- and from the wrath of the ties, when we made known unto lamb; you the power and coming of 17. For the great day of his our Lord Jesus Christ, but were wrath is come ; an*} who shall eyewitnesses of his majesty. be able to stand? 17. For he received from God (18) Luke 20:20. And they the Father honour and glory, watched Him, and sent forth when there came such a voice to spies, which should feign them- him from the excellent glory, selves just men, that th'ey might This is my beloved Son, in whom take hold of his words, that so I am well pleased. they might deliver him unto the 18. And this voice which came power and authority of the gov- from heaven we heard, when we ermor. were with him in the holy (19) Mat. 17:9. And as mount. they came down from the moun- (20) John 5:43. I am com* tain, Jesus charged them, say- in my Father's name, and ye ing, Tell the vision to no man, receive me not: if another shall 124 JESUS IS COMING. "He came unto His own and His own received Him not." John 1:11. Preferring a robber, they rejected and crucified their King and so the kingdom waits until they shall accept Him, 21 when the kingdom of the world shall become the kingdom of our Lord's and of His Christ's and He shall reign for the AGES OF AGES. See Greek. 22 Oh! Blessed "KING OP KINGS!" COME, and may "THY KINGDOM COME/' The King there in His beauty, Without a veil is seen; It were a well-spent journey, Though sev'n deaths lay between, The Lamb, with His fair army, Doth on Mount Zion stand, And glory, glory dwelleth In Immanuel's land. No. VI. The Kingdom Is Not Meat and Drink. It is objected that Paul said, "The Kingdom of God (s not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14:17. come In his own name, him ye Rom. 11 :25. For I would not. Will receive. brethren, that ye should be ig- (21) Zech. 12:10. And I will norant of this mystery, lest ye pour upon the house of David, should be wise in your own con- and upon the inhabitants of celts, that blindness in part is Jerusalem, the spirit of grace happened to Israel, until the ful- and of supplications ; and they ness of the Gentiles be come in. shall look upon me whom they 26. And so all Israel shall be have pierced, and they shall saved : as it is written, There mourn for him, as one mourn- shall come out of Sion the De- eth for his only son, and shall liverer, and shall turn away un- be in bitterness for him, as one godliness from Jacob : that is in bitterness for Tit's first- 27. For this is my covenant born. unto them, when I shall take Zech. 13 :6. And one shall say away their sins, unto him, What are these wounds 28. As concerning the gospel, In thine hands? Then he shall they are enemies' for your sakes : answer, Those with which I was but as touching the election, they wounded in the house of my are beloved for the fathers' friends. eakes. Mat. 23:39. For I say unto (22) Rev. 11:15. And the you, Ye shall not see me hence- seventh angel sounded ; and forth, till ye shall say, Blessed there followed great voices ID ia he that cometh in the name of heaven, and they said, the Lord. The kingdom of the world OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 125 Indeed it is not "meat and drink," or eating and drink- ing, or simply outward observances. Neither was the King- dom of Israel meat and drink, nor the Roman Empire. But the subjects of each did eat and drink, and Paul simply taught that they should do so circumspectly and with charity. So will the subjects of the kingdom of God eat and drink. "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the king- dom of God." Luke 14:15. "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Rev. 19 :9. See the Feast of Isa. 25 :6-8. 23 Jesus himself said, "I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Mat. 26 :29. And iagain: "I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me ; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom." Luke 22 :29-30. This is the strongest proof that the kingdom will be literal and ma- terial, though it shall be freed from the curse of sin. 24 No. VII. Flesh and Blood. It is objected that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 25 Certainly we do not INHERIT it through the flesh the unregenerate man. But through the Spirit we are born is become the kingdom of faces ; and the rebuke of his peo ' our LoM, and of his Christ : pie shall he take away from off and he shall reign* for ever all the earth : for the Lord hath and ever. spoken it. *Gr. unto the ages of the ages. (24) Mat. 13 :41. The Son (23) Isa. 25:6. And in this of man shall send forth his an- mountain shall the Lord of hosts' gels, and they shall gather out make unto all people a feast of of nls kingdom all things that fat things, a feast of wines on offend, and them which do in- the lees, of fat things full of 1QU 'i y ; marrow, of wines on the lees ? 2 ' And , sh . a11 c t them Into well rpfinpd a furnace of fl re : there shall be 7. A.d fe , destroy ,n tt ,s "'' ^ BSfySft. mountain the face of the cover- shine forth as the sun ln the ing cast over all people, and the kingdom of their Father Who veil that is spread over all na- hath ears to hear, let him hear, tions. (25) 1 Cor. 15:50. NOT' this I 8. He will swallow up death say, brethren, that flesh and In victory ; and the Lord God blood cannot inherit the king- will wipe away tears from off all dom of God. 126 JESUS 18 COMING. again, 26 created anew hi Christ Jesus, 27 and made "joint heirs" with Him. 28 The flesh profiteth nothing. The Spirit quickeneth. 29 Paul in this chapter (1 Cor. 15) is treating of the sub- ject of the resurrection which he proves to be so important, that without it, we could not inherit, or become possessed of the kingdom of God. "Flesh and blood" he says cannot inherit it, and therefore he shows that at the resurrection, our bodies of corruptible flesh and blood, which have died, shall be raised in incorruption and immortality. And the bodies of those who are living at that time shall be changed and " fashioned like unto His glorious body." 30 Now, in our flesh and blood, we are bearing the image of Adam, the first man, "which is of the earth, earthy." But at the resurrection we shall be changed so as to " bear the image of the heavenly" "the second man," "the Lord from heaven." 81 (26) John 3 :3. Jesus an- swered and said unto him, Ver- ily, rerily, I say unto thee. Ex- cept a man be born again, be iannot see the kingdom of God. 4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when be is old? can he enter the sec- ond time into his mother's womb, and be born? 6. Jesus answered, Verily, ver- ily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (27) Eph. 2:10. For we are bis workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (28) Rom. 8 :15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ; but ye have received the Spirit of adop- tion, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16. The Spirit itself beareth Witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God : 17. And if children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (29) John 6:63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth ; the flesh proflteth nothing : the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (30) Phil. 3 :20. For our con- versation Is in heaven ; from whence also we look for the Sa- viour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, ac- cording to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all tMngs unto himself. (31) 1 Cor. 15 :45. And so It Is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul ; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural ; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47. The first man is of the earth, earthy : the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48. As is the earthy, such are OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 127 And He who raised up Christ from the dead, and who hath given us the Spirit of adoption (sonship) whereby we become heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, will, by His Spirit that dwelleth in us, also quicken (or make alive) our mortal bodies. 32 Then, and then only, can we inherit, 33 or come into possession of the kingdom, 34 which God hath promised to give unto us. 35 Hence, we see the vital importance of the resurrection, without which we could not inherit the kingdom of God,* verse 50. The evident purpose of this objection is to support the assertion made by Post-millenialists that the kingdom is only spiritual and that there is nothing literal or material in it. But Paul says nothing of the kind and his whole argument is entirely to the contrary. For he asserts that our cru>/ia (soma body) which is sown in corruption, dishonor and weakness, will be raised in incorruption, glory and power, or if living, will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. 36 In these glorified bodies we shall "inherit the kingdom prepared *Here let it be noticed Is another evidence that the King- dom is yet future. they also that are earthy : and little flock ; for it is your as is the heavenly, such are Father's good pleasure to give they also that are heavenly. you the kingdom. ' 49. And as 1 we have borne the (36) 1 Cor. 15:42. So also Image of the earthy, we shall is the resurrection of the dead, also bear the image of the heav- It is sown in corruption, it is enly. raised in incorruption : (32) Rom. 8 :11. But if the 43. It is sown in dishonour, tt Spirit of him that raised up Je- is raised in glory : it is sown in sus from the dead dwell in you, weakness, it is raised in power : he that raiseth up Christ from 44. It is sown a natural body, the dead shall also quicken your it is raised a spiritual body mortal bodies by his Spirit that There is a natural body, anc dwelleth in you. there is a spiritual body. (33) 1 Cor. 15:50. Now this 51. Behold, I shew you a mys- I say, brethren, that flesh and tery ; We shall not all sleep, blood cannot inherit the kingdom but we shall all be changed, of God ; neither doth corruption 52. In a moment, in the inherit incorruption. twinkling of an eye, at the last (34) Dan. 7 :22. Until the trump : for the trumpet shall Ancient of days came, and judg- sound, and the dead shall be ment was given to the saints of raised incorruptible, and we shall the Mo&t High; and the time be changed. came that the saints possessed 53. For this corruptible must the kingdom. put on incorruption, and this (35) Luke 12:32. Fear not, mortal must put on immortality. 128 JESUS JS COMING. for" us "from the foundation of the world."" Tor Christ the rightful heir of all things 38 will be there and we shall be there to reign with Him. 39 And He will have his glorified body, His body that was raised* and ascended 41 and entered into heaven. 42 The glorified body which Stephen saw there, 43 and which Paul saw (Acts 9:5) and also John, Eev. 1:13. The body which bears the scars of the cross; 44 "A Lamb as it had been slain." Yes, He will return in the flesh. Acts 1:11. The true reading of 2 John 7, is, "who confess not Jesus Christ coming* in the flesh." See also Isa. 63: 1-6, and Eev. 19 :11-16. And "we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him." 1 John 3:2. Therefore it is clear, that we, in these same bodies, changed into the image of Christ's glorious body, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. *Gr. ipxo coming. See page 200. (37) Mat. 25:34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foun- dation of the world. (38) Mat. 21:38. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir ; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. Heb. 1:2. Hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in jits Son, whom he appointeth heir of all things, through whom also lie made the *worlds. *Gr. ages. Comp. 1 Tim. 1 :17. Also 1 Tim. 6 :15. (39) 2 Tim. 2 :12. If we suf- fer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. Also Rom. 8 :17 ; John 17 :24. (40) Luke 24:39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is 1 myself : handle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and as ye see me have. (41) Acts 1:9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up ; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (42) Heb. 9:24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true ; but into heaven itself, now to appear In the presence of God for us. Also Heb. 4:14. (43) Acts 7:55. But he, be- ing full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. (44) Rev. 5 :6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent fortb into all tha earth- OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 129 No. VIII. The Work of the Holy Spirit a Failure. It is objected that this doctrine disparages the work of the Holy Spirit. Not so ! For what is the work of the Holy Spirit ? He is gathering the bride. He teaches, guides, and comforts her, 45 until she is presented to Christ. 46 At the same time he reproves the world of sin, and of righteousness, and judgment. John 16 :8. He may be grieved, 47 resisted, 48 and quenched 49 now, but He will not always strive with man. 50 His present work will be finished, and the King of kings and Lord of lords will come forth with the armies of heaven to subdue His enemies (Rev. 19) and finish the work. 51 (45) John 14:17. Even the Spirit of truth ; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but ye know him ; for he dwell- eth with you, an E " h ' 2:20 ' Being built i 5 2\2 \ \ ^ ^ T u P n the foundation of the apos- God hath sent speaketh the words , d het Chrlst j SU of God: for God giveth not the hlmse , f ^ ^ w f CQrner Spirit by measure unto him. stone (56) Eph. 5 :30 Because we 21 / In whom ^^ geveral are members of his body. building, fitly framed together, 31. For this cause shall a man groweth Into a holy temple in leave his 1 father and mother, and the Lord ; shall cleave to his wife ; and the 22. In whom ye also are two shall become one flesh. builded together for a habita- 32. This mystery is great : but tion of God in the Spirit. I speak in regard of Christ and (60) Gen. 24 :56. And ho of the church. said unto them, Hinder me not, (57) Eph. 4:13. Till we all seeing the Lord hath prospered come in the unity of the faith, my way ; send me away that I and of the knowledge of the Son may go to my master. of God, unto a perfect man, unto 57. And they said. We will 132 JESLS IS COMING. power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Rom. 1:16). It is not the ineompetency of the gospel, but the willful unbelief of sinners that prevents the con- version of the world. Jesus said: "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." John 6 :37. But He also said "Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life." John 5:40. While we are to preach the gospel everywhere, we are not to expect that all will receive it. For, when He said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," He also added, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16 :15-16. But "what if some did not believe 1 ? Shall their unbelief make THE TRUTH of God of none effect? God forbid." Rom. 3:3. Salvation shall be revealed in the last time. 61 Jesus shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied Isa. 53:11. "After this I beheld,- and lo, a great multitude, which na man .could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God iwhich sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Rev. 7:9-10. Alleluia; Amen; Alleluia. No. X. The Gospel Not Preached in All the World. It is objected that the gospel has not yet been preached in all the world, as Christ asserted it should be, in Mat. 24:14, and therefore we cannot yet look for Christ, nor the end to come. Let us carefully examine this passage: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." call the damsel, and enquire at faith unto salvation ready to be her mouth. revealed in the last time. 58. And they called Rebekah, f . Co !' V 23 ' " * e C0 tin "f, J , n and said unto her, Wilt thou go th faltn grounded and settled, with this man? And she said, I ^ nd be not moved away from the w jij - hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was (61) 1 Pet. 1 :5. Who are preached to every creature which kept by the power of God through i s> under heaven. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 123 1st. The end is unquestionably the end of the age (ro(i cuuivos tou aionos) of which the disciples asked in verse 3. 2d. The world (OUCOV/AO^ oikoumenee) means habi- table, that is, the inhabited earth. 3d. The gospel of the kingdom is the good news, or glad tidings of the kingdom to come. These glad tidings, it is asserted, shall be proclaimed in all the inhabited earth for a witness unto all nations and then ( TOTC tote) shall come the end of this age or dis- pensation. It will be noticed that the time, during which the preaching shall continue, is determined entirely by the qualifying clause "for a witness unto all nations." When the witness is complete, then shall the end come. When the Witness Is Complete. Now, no finite mind can determine when the witness is complete. If we could, the evidence is to the effect that it has passed already. For when the gospel was preached on the day of Pentecost, there were present "devout men out of every nation under heaven." Acts 2 :5. Afterward the disciples were scattered abroad and went about preach- ing the Word. Acts 8 :4. "And they went forth and preached everywhere." Mark 16 :20.* Paul says, in Rom. 10 :18, "Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world,"*f (world here being from the same word olKovpevr; oikoumenee that is used in Mat. 24:14). And again he says in Col. l:23*f that the gospel had already been "preached to every creature which is under heaven." These inspired statements as to the universal preaching of the gospel ought to be conclusive. Mighty as it makes the work of the early disciples, I do not see how we can refuse to accept it. (See Dr. A. Clarke on Mat. 24:14 as to the special point of the universality of this preaching, also the authorities previously cited.) Surely we must *See Bengell's Gnomon. tSee Jamieson, Faussett and Brown, aJso Alford. 134 JESUS 18 COMING. give no broader meaning to the word olKovp.evrj (oikoume- nee) used by the Holy Spirit in Mat. 24:14 than in Rom. 10 :18, or than to the equally strong words used in Col. 1 :6 and 23. 62 If we limit the one, we can, with equal propriety, limit the other. Because we have so full an account of Paul's work, we are apt to depreciate what was accom- plished by the other Apostles and Disciples. Peter was in Babylon (1 Pet. 5:13), and tradition gives us account of the preaching of the gospel in Parthia, India, Ethiopia, Scythia, Spain and Britain. So then we may rest confidently on the plain statement of Col. 1:23, as being such fulfillment of Mat. 24:14, that the Church from that day to the present has not had, neither can have, in this, any sign or prophesied event standing between believers and the Lord's coming. If we take it upon ourselves to judge that the witness is not com- plete, or more presumingly, that it cannot be complete for centuries to come, then are we foolishly assuming a pre- rogative which belongs to God only. Only God Knows. Surely, only God can judge when the witness to all na- tions is complete, and here lies the essence of this entire question. If the Church is the agent which is to pro- claim the gospel until the witness is complete, no mortal can judge but what the witness shall be completed this moment. But we have no evidence that the Church is the only agent, and it is quite probable that she is not, for we read of another agent in Rev. 14 :6. 63 Therefore the witness may not be completed, until after the Church is taken away, and this other heavenly mes- senger proclaims the everlasting gospel to them that dwell on the earth, even unto every nation and tribe and tongue (62) Col. 1:6. Which Is come (63) Rev. 14:6. And I saw unto you, as it is in all the another angel fly in the midst world ; and bringeth forth fruit, of heaven, having the everlast- as it doth also in you, since the Ing gospel to preach unto them day ye heard of it, and knew the that dwell on the earth, and to grace of God In truth. every nation, and kindred, and 23. See page 132. tongue, and people, OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 135 and people. Rev. 14:6 (see Greek). In this case it is not the Church which shall complete the witness and it evi- dently can be no sign to her. We conclude then that like the "day and hour," 64 it is known to God only, and the Church can have no definite sign in it. Therefore nothing is left for us to do, but faithfully to continue proclaiming the glad tidings of the coming kingdom while we watch momentarily for the Bride- groom. No. XI. Some Here Live to See Kingdom. It is objected, that we are taught in Mat. 16:28; Mark 9 :1, and Luke 9 :27, 65 that the coming of Christ, and of the kingdom, should occur during the lifetime of some of the multitude (Mar. 8:34) 66 to whom Jesus spake, and that therefore His coming and kingdom can only be interpreted spiritually, viz.: the establishment of the power of the gospel by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, or as some hold, figuratively, viz. : the destruc- tion of Jerusalem and the Jewish polity by the Romans, and the establishment of the Church. That is, as they say, Christ came, by His Spirit, on the day of Pentecost and manifested His power through the disciples, in the preaching of the gospel, performing of miracles, etc., or, He came through the Roman army, destroyed Jerusalem and overthrew the Jewish polity, and that His Kingdom is the Church over which He now reigns, or (as some say) in which or through which He now reigns over the nations of the earth. (64) Mat. 24 :36. But of that of death, till they have seen the day and hour knoweth no man, kingdom of God come with power, no, not the angels of heaven, but Luke 9 :27. But I tell you of my Father only. a truth, there be some standing (65) Mat. 16:28. Verily I here, which shall not taste of say unto you, There be some death, till they see the kingdom standing here, which shall not of God. taste of death, till they -see the (66) Mark 8 :34. And when Son of man coming in his king- he had called the people unto dom. liim with, his disciples also, he Mark 9 :1. And he said unto said unto ' them, Whosoever will them, Verily I say unto you, come after me, let him deny hlm- That there be some o* them that self, and take up his cross, and stand here, which shall not taste follow me. 136 JESUS IS COMING. We answer The Holy Spirit is a distinct person, not to be confounded with the person of Christ. The Savior ex- pressly said: "I will pray the Father and He shall give you another comforter" (John 14:16), and if it be another, it cannot be Himself. He, the Holy Spirit, came according to the promises, 67 and it is entirely inconsistent to con- found this event with Christ's return, which latter is in accordance with other promises, that He should Himself come again. They are two events, as distinct as the births of Moses and John. It is true that Christ is spiritually with, or in, believ- ers, 68 and it is just as true that He always has been, and that in this sense He has never' left them, for He said: "Lo! I am with you alway," Mat. 28:20. Mark the language: "I AM with you alway." He was with them during those days of prayer previous to the day of Pente- cost, and He has been with His people all the time. But suddenly the (Parakleetos) Comforter came, another per- son and for a special and glorious purpose. It is, therefore, conclusive, that this coming of the Holy Spirit is a mani- festation of the Divine presence, entirely different from, and superadded to, the spiritual presence of Christ, which latter, according to His own language, has never been with- drawn from His people. He never went away spiritually, but He did go bodily and visibly, and in like manner shall He return. 69 (67) John 14:16. And I will and make our abode with him. pray the Father, and he shall JQ^Q 17:23. I In them, and give you another Comforter, that thou in me, that they may be he may abide with you for ever ; made per f ect in one ; and that 26. But the Comforter, which the world may know that thou is the Holy Ghost, whom the hast sent me, and hast loved father will send in my name, them, as thou hast loved me. he shall teach you all things, (j a j, 4 : ig. My little children, and bring all things to your re- of W h om i travail in birth again membrance, whatsoever I have unti i Christ be formed in you. 8ai A d , Un ^ y U - (69) Acts 1:11. Which also Also 15:26 and 16:7. S aid, Ye men of Galilee, why (68) John 14:23. Jesus an- stand ye gazing up into heavea? swered and said unto him, If a this same Jesus, which is taken man love me, he will keep my up from you into heaven, shall words : and my Father will love so come in like manner as ye him, and we will come unto hiu, have seen him go into heaven. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 137 Again, after the day of Pentecost, the disciples continued to talk of the coming of Christ, which they surely would not have done if His promise to return was fulfilled on that day. And after the destruction of Jerusalem (about A. D. 71), St. John wrote the book of Revelation (about A. D. 96), in which he repeatedly speaks of the coming of Christ as being yet future, clearly showing that it could not have been fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem. Again, as we have before shown, the Church is not the kingdom, but the body of Christ, 70 and His bride. Eph. 5. She is not to be reigned over, 71 but to suffer and reign with Christ. 72 She is "to be counted worthy of the King- dom of God for which she suffers," 73 and therefore Paul exhorts the disciples (members of the Church) "that they must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), and Peter stirs us up, putting us in remembrance to add the Christian graces and give all dili- gence to make our calling and election sure, for so an en- trance shall be ministered unto us "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 1:5-11. Surely this language plainly distinguishes between the Church and the kingdom, and as plainly asserts that the kingdom is yet future. So we see that both the spiritual and figurative interpretations of the coming of Christ are without foundation. Another theory has been advanced, viz.: that the com- ing of Christ in His Kingdom (Mat. 16:28) was fulfilled (70) Eph. 1:22. And hath dren, then heirs; heirs of God, put all things under his feet, and joint heirs with Christ ; if and gave him to be the head over so be that we suffer with him, all things to the church, that we may be also glorified to- 23. Which is his body, the ful- gether. ness of him that filleth all in all. 2 Tim. 2 :12. If we suffer, we (71) John 15:15. Henceforth shall also reign with him: if we I call you not servants ; for the deny him, he also will deny us : servant knoweth not what his (73) 2 Thes. 1 :5. Which is a lord doeth : but I have called you manifest token of the righteous friends ; for all things' that I judgment of God, that ye may have heard of my Father I have be counted worthy of the king- made known unto you. dom of God, for vrhich ye also (72) Rom. 8:17. And if chil- suffer. 138 JESUS IS COMING. in what they term the spiritual coining on the day of Pentecost, and that His coming in the clouds of heaven, in the glory of His Father, with the holy angels, etc., is his real, personal, visible coming at the end of the gospel age (which they also hold to be the end of time and of the world). This seems to us to be founded upon a mere distinction of terms, where there is no difference in fact. For is it not at His coming in His Kingdom that He shall be mani- fested in His glory 1 ? 74 History proves and all our ideas of the glory of Kings coincide with the fact that such glory is identical with the majesty and manifestation of their kingdoms. It is in Christ's Kingdom that He shall rule all nations with a rod of iron, 75 and it is in His Kingdom that He is to be manifested as "the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords." 76 Therefore His com- ing in His Kingdom and His coming in His glory are synonymous, and both are yet future. Some of Them Did See the Kingdom, Then what do the passages mean, to wit: Mat. 16:28, "verily I say unto you, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom," or as in Mark 9 :1, "till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power," or as in Luke :27, "till they see the Kingdom of God." We answer first, the limiting clause "shall not taste of (74) 2 Thes. 1 :10. When he Also Rev. 12 :5 and 19 :15. hall come to be glorified in his ,_-, .. _. fl ... (75) Psa. 2:8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen 15 - Which In his times he for thine inheritance, and the sha11 shew, who is the blessed uttermost parts of the earth for and onl y Potentate, the King of thy possession. kings, and Lord of lords. 9. Thou shall break them with Rev. 19 :16. And he hath on a rod of iron ; thou shalt dash his vesture and on his thigh a them in pieces like a potter's name written, KING OF KINGS, vessel. AND LORD OF LORDS. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 139 death" may have the deep signification, in which sense the true believers, who were standing there, shall never experi- ence it. 77 This is certainly the signification the same lan- guage has in Heb. 2:9, 78 and if we understand it likewise in these passages, then we have all eternity for the fulfill- ment. However we only suggest this. We do not rely upon it, for we believe the word "till" more than intimates that the "some" should taste of death, and that therefore natural death or separation of soul and body was meant. Peter Saw It. But now let us mark well what the "some" standing there were to see, and then let us go up the Mount of Transfiguration, and gaze through the favored eyes of Peter, James and John upon the scene which is recorded immediately after the passage we are considering. Behold His face shining as the sun and His raiment white and glistening as the snow, or as the light. See Moses and Elias as they appear in glory with Him, and listen to the com- munings of this exalted trio. Then bow in silent awe, as the cloud of surpassing glory overshadows them, and rever- ently listen to the voice of God, the Father, saying "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him." No wonder that even the favored and beloved disciples trembled with fear beneath this supernatural majesty and effulgent glory. Surely this was I AM 79 spanning the centuries and giving these apostles a view of His coming and kingdom. So they understood it and Peter especially confirms it. "For," he says, "we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and COM- (77) John 8 :51. Verily, verl- Jesus, who waa made a little ly, I say unto you, if a man lower than the angels for the keep my saying, he shall never suffering of death, crowned with see death. glory and honor; that He by 52. Then said the Jews unto the grace of God should taste him, Now we know that thou death for every man. hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets ; and thou say- (79) John 8 :58. Jesus said est, If a man keep my saying, unto them, Verily, verily, I say be shall never taste of death. unto you, Before Abraham was, (78) Heb. 2 :9. But we see I am. 140 JESUS IS COMING. ING of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excel- lent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount." 2 Pet. 1:16-18. We cannot tell how much of the future they saw in that enraptured hour, but doubtless they had a specific vision of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in His kingdom and glory. John Saw It. We have only to turn to Revelation, where we finoT that He "which is and which was, and which is to come'* permitted John to see (Rev. 1:2, 11, etc.) it most definitely. His enraptured vision swept the centuries. Time, to him, was annihilated and he gazed upon the literal facts. He actually saw them. Thirty-six times does he say "I saw," seven times "I beheld," and five times "I looked," besides many similar expressions. And he saw the very things mentioned in the passages. "And I SAW heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and Truth, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire and on His head were many crowns and He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.. . . And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. He saw the beast and kings of the earth gathered and taken and cast into the lake of fire. He saw Satan bound, and he saw Christ and His saints reigning for a thousand years. He saw it all in perfect fulfillment of the statements in the passages we are considering. Rev. 19 :20. Paul Saw It. Paul also saw Christ in His glory and doubtless he saw all that John did, and probably more, for he saw things that it was impossible for a man to utter. (2 Cor. 12:4, margin.) Surely these are an absolute and literal fulfill- OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 141 ment of what Jesus promised "some" should see, and satis- factorily explain the passages in. question. Ye Shall Not Have Gone Over the Cities of Israel. Another passage is cited in support of the above theories, viz. : the spiritual coming on the day of Pentecost or the figurative coming, in the destruction of Jerusalem, etc., and that is Mat. 10 :23, "verily I say unto you ye shall not have gone over (or finish) the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come." In regard to this we answer, that this was spoken to the twelve disciples, when Jesus sent them forth two by two, with a message especially for and exclusively to Israel. We find from Mark 6 :30, and Luke 9 :10, 80 that they returned to the Master, of course, without finishing the cities. And there is no evidence that they ever, in like manner, renewed the visitation preaching the message "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 81 Indeed they could not, for Israel had rejected their King, and the kingdom had become like a nobleman which went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and return. 82 But from the force of the word "till" we believe that the message will be renewed (perhaps by the "two wit- nesses" after the Church is taken away), to the unbeliev- ing Israelites, who shall yet return to their land and re- store Judaism, 83 and before they shall have gone over the rebuilt cities, the Son of Man shall appear again. (80) Mark 6 :30. And the they heard these things, he add- apostles gathered themselves to- ed and spake a parable, be- gether unto Jesus, and told him cause he was nigh to Jerusalem, all things, both what they had and because they thought that done, and what they had taught. the kingdom of God should im- Luke 9 :10. And the apostles, mediately appear, when they were returned, told 12. He said therefore, A cer- him all that they had done. And tain nobleman went into a far he took them, and went aside country to receive for himself a privately into a desert place be- kingdom, and to return, longing to the city called Beth- (83) Isa. 40 :9. O thou that saida. tellest good tidings to Zion, get (81) Mat. 10:7. And as ye thee upon a high mountain; O go, preach, saying, The kingdom thou that tellest good tidings to of heaven is at hand. Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with (82) Luke 19:11. And as strength; lift it up, be not U2 JESUS 18 COMING. No. XIL Gloomy View of the Future. It is objected that this doctrine presents a gloomy vie-* of the future; that "it is the philosophy of despair," that it stands opposed to the popular idea, viz. : that the world is growing better, and "if it is true," it is sarcas- tically said, "we might as well fold our hands and wait for Christ to come." We candidly think that many who raise these objectiona have altogether mistaken the spirit and work of pre-mil- lennialists. We do Not Despair. We neither despair, nor fold our hands to sleep. On the contrary, we are filled with a lively (Greek living) hope (1 Pet. 1:3), the most "blessed hope" (Tit. 2:13), while we strive to save some from this worldly, sinful and adulterous generation, which is nigh unto cursing and whose end is to be burned. 84 We would not deceive them with the hallucination that they are "growing better/' for, as the apostle has said, "we know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness" (Greek in the wicked one), 1 John 5:19 and therefore we would tell them in the plain words of Scripture, that they are in the broad way that leadeth to destruction (Mat. 7:13), and that they must repent or perish. Luke 13 :3. And further, that this same world, once overflowed by the flood, is now "stored with fire* *See the Greek. afraid ; say unto the cities of (84) Gal. 1 :4. Who gave Judah, Behold your God ; himself for our sins, that he 10. Behold the Lord Jehovah might deliver us from this pres- will come as a mighty one, and ent evil world (age), accord- his arm will rule for him : Be- ing to the will of God and our hold his reward is with him, and Father. his recompense before him. Heb. 6 :8. But that which 11. He will feed his flock like beareth thorns and briers is re- a shepherd, he will gather the jected, and is nigh unto cursing ; lambs in his arms, and carry whose end is to be burned, them in his bosom, and will Mai. 4:1. For, behold, th gently lead those that have their day cometh that shall burn as young. an oven ; and all the proud, yea, OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 143 against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Pet. 3:5-7. We rejoice over every one of those, who, by believing the gospel, the good news of the coming kingdom, 85 are saved from this awful fate and made "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:16-17) "to an inheritance ... re- served in heaven for us," and "who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last tune," and who "hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto" us "at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. 1:4-5-13. Surely this positive conviction of coming doom is a mightier incentive to action than can be the quieting fal- lacy that things are moving on prosperously and that EVEN THE WORLD IS GETTING BETTER. And this is clearly proved by the zeal and faithful work of the ministers, evangelists and laymen, who hold and proclaim this doctrine of the pre-millennial coming of Christ. It is true that they do not expect the conversion of the world in this present evil age* (Gal. 1:4), but they do believe that a millennial age of peace is coming, and they do strive "in the midst of a crooked and perverse genera- tion," to "shine as lights in the world holding forth the word of life" (Phil. 2:15-16), that they may snatch some brands from the burning (Mai. 4:1; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; Jude 23), to increase the godly company who shall be ready to welcome the Bridegroom. 86 *See the Greek. and all that do wickedly, shall to continue in the faith, and be stubble : and the day that that we must through much trib- cometh shall burn them up, saith illation enter into the kingdom the Lord of hosts, that it shall ef God. leave them neither root nor (86) Mat. 25:10. And while branch. they went to buy, the bridegroom (85) Acts 14:21. And when came; and they that were ready they had preached the gospel to went in with him to the mar* that city, and had taught many, riage : and the door was shut, they returned again to Lystra, 11. Afterward eame also the and to Iconium, and Antioch, other virgins, saying, Lord, 22. Confirming the souls of Lord, open to us. the disciples, and exhorting them 12. But he answered and said. 144 JESUS IS COMING. Why, then, should they be so bitterly opposed for pro- claiming this scriptural doctrine? Are they not all mem- bers of the body of Christ? 87 And, as such, do they not merit the warmest sympathy and prayers of the Church? Shall they be condemned because, like the early Church, they are holding the traditions (or teachings handed down) of the apostles, 88 and looking for Jesus? 89 God forbid! But let us remember that "we be brethren," strangers and pilgrims (Heb. 11:13), whose "citizenship" is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). And let us speak "the truth in love," be built up in love (Eph. 4:15-16), and "walk in love" (Eph. 5:2), "redeeming the time, because the days are eviL" 90 The Days Are Evil. Yes, THE DAYS ARE EVIL, and we freely admit that this doctrine does present a gloomy future in the present evil age, for this world of sinners, who are full of unbelief and radically opposed to Christ, His people and His sal- vation. 91 They are rejecting God's gracious entreaties for Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13. Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (87) 1 Cor. 12:25. That there should be no schism in the body ; but that the members should have the same care one lor another. 26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it ; or one member be hon- oured, all the members rejoice with It (88) 2 Thes. 2:5. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you I told you these things? 15i Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions whicb ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (89) Phil. 3:20. For our conversation Is in heaven ; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. 9:28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many ; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the sec- ond time without sin unto sal- vation. Also Tit. 2:13. (90) Eph. 5:15. See the that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, be- cause the days are evil. (91) 2 Cor. 6:14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unright- eousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15. And what concord hath Christ and Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God ; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 145 reconciliation, 92 and rushing madly on toward the day of wrath. Rev. 6:15-17. But there is no gloom in the future for those "who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us/' 93 and "who have received the Spirit of adoption," become "children" and "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ . . . For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Rom. 8:15-18. There seems to be a prevailing disposition to balance up the good and the bad in the world by a process of gen- eral average, in which the triumphs of art and science, the progress in inventions, discoveries, etc., are counted as moral goodness, and it is concluded that the world, on the average, is growing better. But this is utterly fallacious and, we fear, a grand de- ception of Satan. The Church and the World. First, there is no such thing as averaging together the true church and the world. There is no possible consan- guinity. The one is "from beneath," the other "from above." The one "is of this world," the other "not of this world." John 8:23. They must not be yoked to- gether, for there is no fellowship, communion, concord, part or agreement between them. They are and always God, and they shall be my peo- are In the world. If any man pie. love the world, the love of the 17. Wherefore come out from Father Is not in him. among them, and be ye sepa- Also John 14 :18-22, 16 :33, rate, saith the Lord, and touch 17 :14, James 4 :14, 1 John not the unclean thing; and I 5 :19. will receive you, (92) 2 Cor. 5:20. Now then 18. And will be a Father unto we are ambassadors for Christ, you, and ye shall be my sons. as though God did beseech you Eph. 5 :11. And have no fel- by us : we pray you in Christ's lowshlp with the unfruitful stead, be ye reconciled to God. works of darkness, but rather re- 21. For he hath made him to prove them. "be sin for us, who knew no fain ; 12. For it Is a shame even to that we might be made the speak of those things which are righteousness of God in him. done of them in secret. (93) Heb. 6:14. That by two 1 John 2 :15. Love not the immutable things, in which it world, neither the tilings that too? impossible for God to lie, 146 JESUS IS COMING. must be separate.* The true church is in the world, but not of it. 94 There are three parties in the world, viz.: the Jew, the Gentile and the Church of God. 95 As the Jews were a separate, called-out and peculiar people, 90 not to be reckoned among the nations, 97 so is this true church a separate and peculiar people, 98 called unto cleans- ing and holiness, 99 sealed by the Spirit of God, unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30), no longer darkness, but "children of light," and exhorted to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph. 5:8-11). They are of God, while the whole world lies in the wicked one. 100 There is an irrepressible conflict between them we might have a strong con- solation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us : 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enter- eth into that within the vail ; 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (94) John 17:11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. * See (91) pg. 144. (95) 1 Cor. 10 :32. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church Of God. (96) Ex. 19:5. Now there- fore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treas- ure unto me above all people : for all the earn is mine. 6. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Ex. 33 :16. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace to thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Also Deut. 7:6, Psa. 135:4. (97) Num. 23 :9. For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. (98) Tit. 2:14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 1 Pet. 2 :9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priest- hood, a holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (99) 2 Cor. 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all fllthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness 1 in the fear of God. Also Eph. 5:25-27. (100) 1 John 5:19. We know OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 147 no possible harmony exists. On the contrary, their prin- ciples and tendencies are absolutely opposite. It is there- fore entirely inconsistent that they should be spoken of as forming one general mass. Art, Science and Invention. Second, the triumphs of art and science, the progress in inventions, discoveries, etc., by no means argue an in- crease in godliness. Many of the acknowledged leaders today in science and philosophy yes, even those who rank the very highest among them, are positive infidels. And very many more, who disclaim absolute infidelity, deny the divinity of Jesus Christ. It is strange, indeed, that the Christian optimists, in their noisy trumpetings of the strides of science, should lose sight of this momentous fact. And history bears a similar testimony. The power, splendor and wisdom of David and Solomon were followed by the idolatry and innocent blood of Ahab and Manasseh, resulting in the overthrow of Jerusalem and the Babylonish captivity. The temple, built by Herod, was one of the grandest works of art. It fairly flashed with splendor, and the temple service was conducted on a magnificent scale. The Jews of his time enjoyed great privileges in literature and learning, and yet they crucified the Lord Jesus. The Greeks rose to a pinnacle of triumph in literature, poetry and art, and yet they failed by wisdom to find out God. To them he Was the unknown God. 101 See how plainly this is brought out in 1 Cor. chapters, 1, 2 and 3: "For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wis- dom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1:21). The trouble is not with the heads, but with the hearts of men. No matter how great the learning, man must have a new that we are of God, and the tions, I found an altar with this whole world lieth In the evil inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN one. GOD. Whom therefore ye ig- (101) Acts 17:23. For as I norantly worship, him declare I passed by, and beheld your devo- unto you. 148 JESD8 18 COMING. heart, and this is obtained not by education, but by the operation of the Spirit of God. It was not many wise men after the flesh who received the grace of God in Corinth, but the simple and the despised. "I thank Thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth," said Jesus, "that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent (discerning ones) and hast revealed them unto babes." Luke 10 :21. The world, then, by "wisdom" or "philosophy" (Col. 2: 8), or "science falsely so called" (1 Tim. 6:20), can never find out God. Indeed, we have a clear evidence of this in the rationalism, infidelity and atheism of our day. No matter how refined and polished is their garb or the deli- cacy with which they may be set forth, still they are only the poisonous deceptions of him who can appear as "an angel of light." 102 The truth is that Satan is the arch enemy of God, and the world, in this present evil age (Gal. 1:4), is in his power (1 John 5:19), so that he besets the people of God with his "wiles," and arrays against them "principalities .... powers .... and the rulers of the darkness of this world." Eph. 6:11-13. Therefore the Christian must "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2 :15-16. The World Not Growing Better. Surely, then, this wicked world, which is so radically opposed to God, and under the present control of His arch enemy, is not growing better. On the contrary, judgment, fire and perdition are before it. 108 Perilous (102) 2 Cor. 11:13. For such transformed as the ministers of are false apostles, deceitful righteousness ; whose end shall workers, transforming themselves be according to their works. Into the apostles of Christ. (103) 2 Pet. 2. And many 14. And no marvel ; for Sa- shall follow their pernicious tan himself is transformed into ways ; by reason of whom the an angel of light. way of truth shall be evil spoken 16. Therefore it is no great of. thing it his ministers also be 3. And through covetousnesa OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 149 times are coming. 104 "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." The tares, which naturally grow much faster than the wheat, shall continue up to the harvest. Mat. 13:40. "The mys- tery of iniquity" which already worked in the days of the apostles, shall culminate in "the man of sin," the per- sonal antichrist, whom even the mass of the Jews will re- ceive, 105 and who will be so great and rule with such uni- versal authority that he is to be destroyed only by the personal appearing of the Lord Himself. 106 There is no hope, then, for the world, but in the coming of Christ the King. And, praised be God for the prom- ises, the Lord will come at the end of this age. Antichrist will be destroyed. 106 All things that offend shall be gath- ered out, 107 and the Millennial Kingdom of righteous- ness shall be established on the earth. So, while there is a gloomy prospect for the world during this evil age, there is a bright and glorious prospect during the coming mil- lennial age. shall they with feigned words (106) 2 Thes. 2:8. And then make merchandise of you : whose shall that Wicked be revealed, judgment now of a long time whom the Lord shall consume lingereth not, and their damna- with the spirit of his mouth, and tion slumbereth not. shall destroy with the brightness 2 Pet. 3 :7. But the heavens of his coming : and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in - Even "Mm, whose coming Is store, reserved unto fire against after tne working of Satan with the day of judgment and perdi- a11 power and signs and lying tion of ungodly men. wonders, Also Jude 7, Mark 9 :43-48. Also Rev 19 . 20 (104) 1 Tim. 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that (107) Matt. 13:41. The Son In the latter times some shall of man shall send forth his an- depart from the faith, giving gels, and they shall gather out heed to seducing spirits, and doc- of his kingdom all things that trines of devils ; offend, and them which do in- 2 Tim. 3 :1. This know also, Iquity ; that in the last days perilous times shall come. 42 - And sha11 cast them into (105) John 5:43. I am come a ^nace of fire: there shall be in my Father's name, and ye re- wailing and gnashing of teeth, ceive me not : if another shall 43. Then shall the righteous come in his own name, him ye shine forth as the sun in . th Will receive. kingdom of their Father. Who Also Isa. 28 :15-22. hath ears to hear, let him hear. 150 JESUS IS COMING. Civilization and Beneficent Institutions. But perhaps it is still insisted that the world has made great progress in civilization and refinement, in benevo- lence, in personal liberty, international fraternity, Chris- tian work, etc. In proof of this, the abrogation of slavery is cited; also the cessation of the inquisition and martyr- dom, the establishment of charitable institutions, the great postal and commercial means of communication, built upon the agencies of steam and lightning; the right of trial by jury, international arbitration, missionary triumphs, etc. Well, first of all we answer that Civilization and Ee- finement are not the Source of Holiness. They may ele- vate the head, while the heart is untouched. The gilded palace of sin is as certainly the gateway to hell as the darkest den of vice. The cultured and scientific atheist is as surely in the service of Satan as the thief or the murderer. Jesus Him- self classed them all together when He said, "He that is not with Me is against Me." Mat. 12 :30. So it matters not how much more like an angel of light the serpent may appear, nor how civilized and refined the world may be. Satan is the devil still. And the world is still the world. His manifestations and methods may be changed, but the spirit of darkness is the same. And accordingly we see that while slavery is disappearing, communism, social- ism and nihilism are lifting their godless, headless forms. And darker are their forebodings than were even the days of the inquisition and martyrdom. Oppressing monopo- lies, systematic peculation and fraud are parallel with charitable institutions. The mails, so useful for news and correspondence, afford a most convenient agency for dis- seminating the flood of obscene literature which is blasting the morals of the young. Trial by jury has too often proved a mere farce, in which the criminal escapes. The nation which opened the way for the missionary also forced upon the teeming millions of China the awful curse of opium. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 151 While missionary efforts have been greatly blessed abroad (and praise God that they have), infallibility, ritualism, skepticism and desecration of the Lord's day have more than equally triumphed at home. And let it not be forgotten that the monstrous assumption of infalli- bility has triumphed in what was once an apostolic church of Christ. The past century has had its full share of war and car- nage. Numerous, dark and fearful have been the fields of blood up to this very year. In short, Satan is on the alert and fully up to the times, multiplying his deceptions on either hand, as he will continue to do, until chained by the angel at the beginning of the Millennium. 108 Is the Church Progressing? Lastly, it is argued that, as Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, 109 the greatly in- creased number of professed Christians must certainly have augmented the light and the salt, and consequently have made the world better. Jesus was indeed the light of the world, but He shone in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. Men loving and clinging to the darkness, because their deeds were evil, would not see the light, and were not made bet- ter by it. 110 So true Christians, reflecting the light from (108) Rev. 20:1. And I saw salt have lost his savour, where- an angel come down from with shall It be salted? it is heaven, having the key of the thenceforth good for nothing, but bottomless pit and a great chain to be cast out, and to be trodden In his hand. under foot of men. 2. And he laid hold on the Phil. 2 :15. That ye may be dragon, that old serpent, which blameless and harmless, the sons is the Devil, and Satan, and of God, without rebuke, in the bound him a thousand years, midst of a crooked and perverse 3. And cast him into the bot- nation, among whom ye shine as tomless pit, and shut him up, lights in the world. and set a seal upon him, that (110) John 1:4. In him was he should deceive the nations no life ; and the life was the light more, till the thousand years of men. should be fulfilled ; and after 5. And the light shineth in that he must be loosed a little darkness ; and the darkness corn- season, prehended it not. (109) Mat. 5:13. Ye ane the John 3:19. And this is the salt of the earth : but if the condemnation, that light is come 152 JESUS IS COMING. heaven, only intensify the darkness about them. The dark- ness is still darkness and cannot be improved. The sinner must forsake it and come to the light, or he can never be saved. Losing the Saltness. Let us notice carefully that Jesus speaks of the salt losing its saltness and becoming good for nothing, and He also intimates that the light may be hid under a bushel. And therefore He exhorts, "Have salt in yourselves." Mark 9:50. Evidently the Jews lost their "savour" (Mat. 5:13) and "were broken off." 111 This leads to the solemn query, is the professing Church progressing or declining in f aitr and spiritual life? The kingdom in mystery, 112 or the state of Christendom until Christ comes again, is taught us, we believe, by the parables of Mat. 13. The Parables. "The parable of the Sower shows the varied and imper- fect reception of the Word. The parable of the Tares shows the early and continued effects of Satan's presence among the saints. The parable of the Mustard-seed shows outward growth sheltering evil. The parable of the Leaven shows the gradual and utter corruption of the truth. The parable of the Treasure hid in a field shows what Israel is to be in the world. The parable of the Pearl of great price shows what the Church is to Christ. And the parable of the Dragnet shows the cleansing of the kingdom at His second coming." into the world, and men loved by faith. Be not highminded, darkness rather than light, be- but fear : cause their deeds were evil. 21. For if God spared not the 20. For every one that doeth natural branches, take heed lest evil hateth the light, neither he also spare not thee. cometh to the light, lest his (112) Mat. 13:10. And the deeds should be reproved. disciples came, and said unto 21. But he that doeth truth him, Why speakest thou unto cometh to the light, that his them in parables? deeds may be made manifest, 11. He answered and said unto that they are wrought in God. them, Because it is given unto (111) Rom. 11 :20. Well ; be- you to know the mysteries of cause of unbelief they were the kingdom of heaven, but to broken off, and thou standest them it is not given. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 153 The Leaven. There is, perhaps, but little opposition to this interpreta- tion of the parables, excepting that of the Leaven, which has quite extensively been interpreted to teach exactly the opposite, viz. : that the power and influence of the gospel or Christian life is to permeate the masses of the world, until the whole is leavened into holiness. The inconsistency of this is seen when we consider that precisely the contrary is taught by the parable of the sower and the tares, each of which most undisputedly shows that evil is to continue and grow up to the end of the age. This is surely the most sufficient and scriptural reason for assigning the same typical meaning to the Leaven, in this and the correlative passage, 113 which we find it to bear in the numerous other passages, where the same word is used, viz. : the corrupting influence of e.vil and the symbol of death. See carefully Mat. 16 I6-12. 11 * (113) Luke 13:20. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21. It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (114) Mat. 16:6. Then Je- sus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8. Which when Jesus per- ceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 11. How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sad- ducees? 12. Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mark 8 :15. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. Luke 12 :1. In the mean time, when there were gathered to- gether an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he be- gan to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hy- pocrisy. 1 Cor. 5 :6. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sac- rificed for us : 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness ; but with the un- 154 JESUS IS OOMING. Here then we 'are most emphatically taught not only that the world is growing no better, but that the professing Church itself will lose its saltness, becoming nominal and lukewarm, fit only to be spued out of the Master's mouth. 116 The entire teaching of the Word of God, we believe, agrees with this. And we have but to take an unprejudiced survey of the Church even now, to see the truth of it. The loss of spiri- tual power in the different branches of the great nominal Church has not resulted from the casting out of truth, but from the imbibing and internal workings of false doc- trine, which, like leaven, has fermented the mass. Little by little the ordinary bishop of Rome has developd into an infallible Pope. Image worship, the confessional, world conformity and post-millennialism have all worked out their enormous growth like the little leaven in the meal. How do the great Papal and Greek churches, in their stateliness, formality, popularity and spiritual weakness of to-day, compare with the despised Nazarene and his follow- ers, 116 or with the persecuted, consecrated and godly con- gregations (ekkleesias) of the first two centuries? And are not the present evangelical denominations, by worldly conformity and increeping doubts regarding the inspiration of the Word, etc., dangerously tending in the same direction? How very few of the members in them are to-day crying out for separation and holiness. Surely, no one can fail to see the corrupting influences of the leaven permeating them. We realize that this is an awful fact. It is not even pleasant to state it. But, while Noah's preaching was not pleasant to them that heard it, still it was true and the leavened bread of sincerity and (115) Rev. 3:16. So then be- truth. cause thou art lukewarm, and Gal. 5 :7. Ye did run well ; neither cold nor hot, I will spew who did hinder you that ye thee out of my mouth, should not obey the truth? (116) 1 John 4:17. Herein Is 8. This persuasion cometh not our love made perfect, that we of him that calleth you. may have boldness in the day of 9. A little leaven leaveneth judgment: because as be is, so the whole lump. are we in this world. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 155 flood did come. Likewise the prophesying of Jeremiah was exceedingly unpleasant, but it was true and was fol- lowed by the terrible fate of the city, and the Babylonian captivity. The preaching of Jesus was at times of fearful severity, 117 but was it not true? So would we humbly yet faithfully proclaim the Word of God. We would "cry aloud and spare not," 118 fully believing that, upon an apos- (117) Mat. 11:20. Then Be- gan be to upbraid tbe cities wherein most of bis migbty works were done, because they repented not: 21. Woe unto thee. Cborazin ! woe unto thee, Bethsaida ! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22. But I say unto you. It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judg- ment, than for you. 23. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell : for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have- remained until this day. 24. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Mat. 18 :7. Woe unto the world because of offences ! for it must needs be that offences come ; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh ! 8. Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee : It is better for thee to enter in- to life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9. And If thine eye offend thee, pluck It out, and cast it from thee : it is better for thee to en- ter into life with one eye. Mat. 23 :13. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- crites ! for ye shut up the king- dom of heaven against men : for ye neither go in yourselves, nei- ther suffer ye them that are en- tering to go in. 14. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye de- vour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer : therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte ; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 27. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye are like unx> whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 31. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32. Fill ye up then the meas- ure of your fathers. 33. Ye serpents, ye generation ct vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (118) Isa. 58 :1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and thfl house of Jacob their sins. 156 JESUS 18 COMING. tate church, 119 rebellious and murderous Israel, 120 and a sinful world, the day of darkness is coming. 121 The Faithful Remnant. But even in the darkness, so gloomy for the ungodly, there is hope bright, glorious hope for the faithful. 122 For God always has had, and ever will have a faithful remnant. 123 There were those, in blind unbelieving Israel, who waited for and accepted the Messiah. Luke 2, etc. So there will be those in the Church who will wait for (1 (119) 2 Tim. 4:2. Preach the word ; be instant in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, ex- hort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine ; but after their own lusts shall they heap to them- selves teachers, having itching ears ; 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Also 2 Tim. 3 :5-9, Rev. 17. (120) Mat. 27:25. Then an- swered all the people, and said, His blood tie on us, and on our children. (121) Joel 1 :15. Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Amos 5 :18. Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord ! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. 19. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him ; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a ser- pent bit him. 20. Shall not the day of the Lord ~be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no bright- ness in it? 2 Pet. 2:17. These are wells Without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest ; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. Also Zeph. 1 :14-18 ; Mai. 4 :1 ; Jude 5-13. (122) 1 Thes. 5:4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day : we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others ; but let us watch and be sober, 7. For they that sleep sleep in the night ; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love ; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Pet. 1 :13. "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (123) 1 Kings 19:18. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. Rom. 11 :5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the elec- tion of grace. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 157 Thes. 1:10) and welcome the coming Bridegroom. Mat. 25:10. And there shall be a remnant in Israel, who, pass- ing through the darkness and fire (Zech. 13:9), will yet accept their King. Zech. 12:10; Rom. 9:27; 11:25-26. And there shall even be a remnant (residue or remainder) among the Gentiles (ungodly world) who shall seek after the Lord. 12 * Glory to God ! the darkness shall yet flee away before the Sun of Righteousness, arising with healing in His wings, 125 when He comes to sit in the throne of His glory. 126 The mountain of the Lord's house shall be estab- lished and all nations shall flow unto it (Isa. 2:1-6; Mic. 4:1-5, please read it) during that bright millennial day of peace and glory, 127 which shall follow "this present evil age" (Gal. 1:4) and in which even the creature "shall be (124) Acts 15:16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down ; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (125) Mai. 4:2. But unto you that fear m^ name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings ; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3. And ye shall tread down the wicked ; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts. (126) Mat. 19:28. And Je- sus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regen- eration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (127) Acts 17:31. Because he liath appointed a day, In the which he will judge the world in righteousnes-s by that man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Rom. 13 :12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rev. 20:4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them : and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received Tits mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands : and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thou- sand years were finished. This is ttae first resurrection. 6. Blessd and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrec- tion ; on such the scond death lhath no power, but they shall be priests of God 1 and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thou- sand years. 158 JESVS 18 COMINQ. delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Rom. 8 :21. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," Isa. 11 :9. "A better day is coming 1 , a morning promised long, When girded Right, with holy Might, will overthrow the wrong; When God the Lord will listen to every plaintive sigh, And stretch His hand o'er every land, with justice by and by. The boast of haughty Error no more will fill the air, But Age and Youth will love the truth and spread it every- where; No more from want and sorrow will come the hopeless cry; And strife will cease, and perfect peace will flourish by and by. Oh! for that holy dawning we watch, and wait, and pray, Till o'er the height the morning light shall drive the gloom away; And when the heavenly glory shall flood the earth and sky, We'll bless the Lord for all His Word, and praise Him by and by." No. XIII. Cruel to the Unsaved. It is objected that it would be cruel for Christ to come in Judgment upon the world, while there are so many mil- lions unsaved. "We answer, Is not such a declaration a presumptious criticism of God's motives? Was the flood an expression of cruelty, or rather was it not a manifestation of God's love and mercy, toward them who should live after, in that He swept away the great overflow of wickedness? Surely it was done in mercy. And now let us remember that this world DEES every thirty-three years. The average of human life is even a little less than this. The world is in the power of the devil, 128 and he has the power of death. 129 He has (128) 1 John 5:19. We know o f the same; that through death that we are of God, and the he might destroy him that had whole world lieth in the evil the power of death, that is, the one. devil ; (129) Heb. 2:14. Forasmuch 15. And deliver them, who then as the children are par- through fear of death were all takers of flesh and blood, he their lifetime subject to bondagn. also himself likewise took part OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 159 slain this world with the sword of death, over fifty times in the present dispensation. Think of it! more than fifty worlds gone down in the whirlpool of death. Each generation brings on to the scene an entirely new world. And how few out of these are converted. How few are reached by the gospel life- boat, and how few of those reached heed the message of salvation. The great mass sweep on, like a wrecked vessel, in darkness and unbelief, to the Judgment. The coming of Christ will inaugurate a far better state of things. For, when He comes, all things that offend shall be gathered out and the kingdom shall be established in righteousness. 130 And even though the subjects of the king- dom (not Ihe reigning ones) 131 may die during the millen- nial age, yet shall they die in a good old age, the child even a hundred years old, 132 and their death shall be blessed, 133 and though the Millennium is not the perfect state, yet Judgment will speedily follow the sinner of that day, or the nation which shall swerve from serving God. 134 (130) Mat. 13:49. So shall dred years old, shall be ac- it be at the end of the world: cursed. the angels shall come forth, and (133) Rev. 14:13. And I sever the wicked from among heard a voice from heaven say- the just, ing unto me, Write, Blessed are 50. And shall cast them into tne dead which die in the Lord the furnace of fire: there shall from henceforth: Yea saith the be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 8 P irIt ' that the y ma y rest from Also verses 31-43. their labours. (134) Zech. 14:16. And it LV 5 ^ ^l 2 :35 ' * ^ Ut ^ ^all come to pass, that every which shall be accounted worthy Qne that is left of all tfae na _ to obtain that world and the tioQS w h came inst Jeru . resurrection from the dead, , eyen from neither marry, nor are given in year to year to worship tbe Klng> the Lord of hosts, and to keep 36. Neither can they die any the feast of tabernacles, more: for they are equal unto 17. And it shall be, that who- the angels ; and are the children so w m no t come up of all the of God, being the children of the families of the earth unto Jeru- resurrection. salem to worship the King, the Also Rev. 20 :4-6. Lord of hosts, even upon f>em (132) Isa. 65 :20. There shall shall be no rain, be no more thence an infant of 18. And if the family of Eb/Pt days, nor an old man that hath go not up, and come not, that not filled his days : for the child have no rain, there shall be the shall die an hundred years old ; plague wherewith the Lord will but the sinner, being an hun- smite the heathen that come not 160 JESUS IS COMING. Surely, then, His speedy coming cannot be counted an unmerciful event. The wonder is rather at the long-suffer- ing of God, which now 135 (as before the flood 136 ) waits in such patient pleading. But He will fulfill His promise, and the Coming One* will come 137 and cut short the work in righteousness. Rom. 9:28. Then let us not look upon Christ's coming as cruel or unmerciful. He has said "SURELY i COME QUICKLY/' and let us have the mind of the Holy Spirit, who replied "EVEN so COME LORD JESUS/' Eev. 22:20. "Then welcome, thrice welcome, ye tokens of God. What else but His coming' can comfort afford? What presence but His set this prisoned earth free? O Star of the Morning, our hope is in Thee!" No. XIV. This Generation. Jesus said: "This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled." Lu. 21:32. See also Mat. 24:34; Mar. 13 :30. Some have construed "generation" to mean a time of thirty or forty years; and, as Jerusalem was destroyed within forty years after Christ spoke, they refer all he said to that event. Israel the Generation That Passes Not Away. We believe "generation," as there used, means the whole existence of the Israelitish race. Compare the following passages where the same Greek word is used. 138 So the Greek. up to keep the feast of taberna- sometime were disobedient, when cles. once the longsuflering of God 19. This shall be the punish- waited in the days of Noah, ment of Egypt, and the punish- while the ark was a preparing, ment of all nations that come wherein few, that is, eight souls not up to keep the feast of taber- were saved by water, nacles. Also Isa. 65:20. (137) Heb. 10:36. For ye (135) 2 Pet. 3:9. The Lord have need of patience, that, after is not slack concerning his prom- ye have done the will of God, ye ise, as some men count slack- might receive the promise, ness ; but is longsuffering to us- 37. For yet a little while, and ward, not willing that any should he that shall come will come, perish, but that all should come and will not tarry. to repentance. (138) Mat." 11:16. But (136) 1 Pet. 3 :20. Which whereunto shall I liken this gen- OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 161 In Psa. 22:30, we read: "A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation." And in Psa. 24:6: "This is the generation of them that seek Him." In Prov. 30:11-14, the generation of the righteous and the generation of the wicked are clearly distinguished. Hence we conclude that the generation of the Israelites were not only to see the destruction of Jerusalem, but the COMIXG of Christ (at the revelation) and the end of the age. Mat. 24:3. And their wonderful preservation, as a distinct people, through all the persecutions, vicissitudes and wanderings of the past eighteen centuries down to the present moment, is a standing miracle, attesting the truth of God's word, and assuring us of His purposes in their future history. Said Frederick the Great to his chaplain : "Doctor, if your religion is a true one, it ought to be capable of very brief and simple proof. Will you give me an evidence of its truth in ONE WORD?" The good man answered, "Israel." Other nations come and go, but Israel remains. She passes not away. God says of her, "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer." Isa. 54:7-8. eration? It is like unto chil- prophets, which was shed from dren sitting in the markets, and the foundation of the world, may calling unto their fellows. be required of this generation ; Mat. 16:4. A wicked and 5!. From the blood of Abel adulterous generation seeketh unto the blood of Zac harias, after a sign ; and there shall no which perished between the altar sign be given unto it, but the and the temple: verily I say sign of the prophet Jonas. And unto you> It shall be requ i re a he left them, and departed. of this generation. Luke 9:41. And Jesus an- _.., .,_ _. . swering said, O faithless and Phil - 2 :15 ; That ye may be- perverse generation, how long c e blameless and harmless shall I be with you, and suffer children of God without blemish you? Bring thy son hither. In the midst of a , crooked and Luke 11 :49. Therefore also Perverse generation, among said the wisdom of God, I will ^ hom 7* are seen as ' ll & is * send them prophets and apostles, e worm, and some of them they shall Also Mark 8 :38. slay and persecute : Luke 7 :31 ; 11 :29, 30, 31, 32 ; 50. That the blood of all the 16:8; 17:26. Acts 2:40. CHAPTER XV. Israel Is to Be Restored. But, perhaps, you say: "I don't believe the Israelites are to be restored to Canaan, and Jerusalem rebuilt." Dear reader! have you read the declarations of God's word about it? Surely nothing is more plainly stated in the Scriptures. We would that we had space to quote the passages, but we can only give you a portion of the refer- ences. We beg of you to read them thoughtfully. Divest yourself of prejudice and preconceived notions, and let the Holy Spirit show you, from His word, the glorious future of God's chosen people, "who are beloved" (Rom. 11:28), and dear unto Him as "the apple of His eye." Zeeh. 2 :8. 1st. God calls Abraham. Gen. 12:1.* 2nd. God's promise to Abraham. Gen. 12:2-7. " " " Gen. 13:14-17.2 " " " Gen. 15:18. " Gen. 17:8. 1 " " Isaac. Gen. 26:1-5. (1) Gen. 12:1. Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee : 2. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great ; and thou shalt be a blessing : 3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee : and in thee shall all families' of the earth be blessed. 6. And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7. And the Lord appeared un- to Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land : and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. (2) Gen. 13:14. And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward ; 15. For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16. And I will make thy s'eed as the dust of the earth : so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17. Arise, walk through the land, in the length of it, and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. (162J RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 163 God's promise to Jacob. Gen. 28:1-15. " Gen. 35:10-12. 3rd. The land described. Ex. 23:31; Nu. 34; Deut. 11:24; Deut. 34:1-4; Josh. 1:2-6. 4th. The land partially possessed. 1 Kings 4:21. 5th. Punishment prophesied for disobedience. Lev. 26:14- 39; Deut. 4:22; 28:15; 31:16. 6th. Israel's sins. Judges 2:11-19; 1 Sam. 8:6; 2 Kings 21: 11; 2 Kings 24:3; Jer. 15:4; and many others, ESPECIALLY Mat 27:25. 7th. The promises to be remembered and restoration as- jsured: Lev. 26:40-45, especially verses 42, 44, 45.3 Deut. 4:30-31.4 " 30:1-10, especially verses 4, 5, 6.5 2 Sam. 7:10-11.6 Joel 2:18-32. " 3:1-21. (3) Lev. 26:44. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them ut- terly, and to break my covenant with them : for I am the Lord their God. 45. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God : I am the Lord. (4) Deut. 4:30. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice ; 31. (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God ;) he will not for- sake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers 'which he sware unto them. (5) Deut. 30:1. And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee, 2. And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice, according to all that I command thee this 1 day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul ; 3. That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee. 4. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee : 5. And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it ; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. 6. And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (6) 2 Sam. 7 :10. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more ; neither shall the chil- dren of wickedness afflict them auy more, as beforetima 164 JESUS IS COMING. Amos 9:11-15, especially verse 15.7 Hosea 1:10-11. 2:14-23. 3:4-5. Isa. 2:2-5. " 9:6-7. " 10:20-23, especially verses 21, 22. " 11:10-16, especially verse 11, SECOND TIME. " 19:23-25. " 27:12-13.8 " 33:20-24. " 43:1-7, especially verses 5, 6, 7. " 49:13-26, especially verses 22, 23. " 60:1-22, especially verses 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, IS, 21. " 61:1-11. " 62:1-12. " 65:8-10. " 65:17-25. " 66:19-24. Jer. 3:12-19, especially verses 17, 18. " 11:4-5. " 16:14-16.9 (7) Amos 9:11. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof ; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12. That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this. 13. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed ; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 14.. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit thgm; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof ; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God. (8) Isa. 27:12. And it shal.' come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. 13. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land 01" Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (9) Jer. 16:14. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt ; 15. But, the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them : and I will bring them again into th<>ir land that I gave unto their fathers. RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 165 Jer. 23:3-8, especially verses 3, 4, 6. " 29:10-14. " 30:1-24, especially verses 8, 9, 10, 11, 20. " 31:1-40, especially verses 8, 9, 10, 12, 28, 33, 38. " 32:36-44, especially verses 37, 39, 40, 41, 42. " 34:7-17, especially verses 7, 8, 14, 15, 16. " 44:28. " 46:27-28. " 50:4-8. " 50:17-20. Ezek. 6:8-10, especially verse 9. " 20:36-44, especially verses 40, 41, 42, 43, 44.io " 28:24-26, especially verses 25, 26. " 34:11-31, especially verses 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 28. " 36:1-38, especially verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 21, 28, 31, 35, 37, 38. " 37:1-28, especially verses 11, 12, 14, 16 to 28. " 39:23-29, especially verses 25, 26, 27, 29. Chapters 40 to 48 the New Temple. See the order in which the tribes shall be settled, Ch. 43. Micah 4:1-7. " 7:8-20, especially verses 12, 19, 20.n 16. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them ; and after will I send for many hunters', and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. (10) Ezek. 20:40. For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me : there will I accept them, and there will I require your offer- ings, and the first-fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. 41. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered ; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. 42. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers. 43. And there shall ye remem- ber your ways, and all your do- ings, wherein ye have been de- filed ; and ye shall loathe your- selves in your own sight for all your evils that ye nave com- mitted. 44. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways 1 , nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord God. (11) Mich. 7:18. Who is a God like unto thee, that par- doneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us ; he will subdue our iniquities ; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. 20. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the day of old/ 166 JE8VS 18 COMING. Zeph. 3:8-20, especially verses 11, 13, 19, 20. 12 Zech. 2:4-13. " 3:1-10, especially verse 9. " 8:1-23, especially verses 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17, 20 to 23. 10:5-12, all of them." " 12:1-14, especially verses 10, 11. " 13:1-9, especially verses 6, 8, 9. " 14:1-21, especially verses 11, 16, 20, 2L Mai. 3:10-12.1* Mat. 23:37-39, especially in verse 39, TILL. Luke 13:34-35, especially in verse 35, trami*. " 21:24, especially UNTIL. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles UNTtt the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Rom. 11:17-28, especially verses 17, 20, 23 to 28.16 (12) Zeph. 3:19. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee ; and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out ; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 20. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord. (13) Zech. 10:6. And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Jo- seph, and I will bring them again to place them : for I have mercy upon them : and they shall be as though I had not cast them off : for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them. 7. And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine : yea, their children shall see it, and be glad ; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. 8. I will hiss for them, and gather them ; for I have re- deemed them : and they shall In- crease as they have increased. 9. And I will sow them among the people : and they shall re- member me in far countries ; and they shall live with their children, and turn again. .10. I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria ; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon ; and place shall not be found for them. (14) Mai. 3:11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. 12. Ar,d all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. (15) Rom. 11:11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salva- tion is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles ; how much more their fulness 1 ? 13. For I speak to you Gen- tiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I mag- nify mine office : 19. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted In. 20. Well ; because o2 unbelief they were broken off, tnd RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 167 Acts 15:13-16, very important, as it is the apostle's sum- mary of the prophets.is Psa. 51:18; 102:16. And now, reader, if you have faithfully studied these passages, or if you have even read them, do you wonder that the great mass of Jews, at the present time, have an abiding faith that they are to be returned to Canaan? All the orthodox Jews tenaciously cling to this hope; and shall we, who have accepted so much greater light, re- fuse this overwhelming testimony of the Word? God for- bid. It may be that you say, "These prophesies were fulfilled in the return from Babylon." Not so, that was the FIRST TIME. But there is to be A Second Restoration. "And It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall eet His hand AGAIN the SECOND TIME to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Gush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea." Isa. 11:11. In the first restoration only those who were MINDED came back from Babylon (Ezra 7:13), while many remained both standest by faith. Be not high- they had held their peace, James minded, but fear : answered, saying, Men and 21. For if God spared not the brethren, hearken unto me: natural branches, take heed lest 14. Simeon hath declared how he also spare not thee. God at the first did visit the Gen- 25. For I would not, brethren. tiles > to take out of them a peo- that ye should be ignorant of P le for hi&1 aame. this mystery, lest ye should be 15. And to this agree the wise in your own conceits, that words of the prophets ; as it is blindness in part is happened written, to Israel, until the fulness of the 16. After this I will return, Gentiles be come in. and will build again the taber- 26. And so all Israel shall be nacle of David, which is fallen saved : as it la written, There down ; and I will build again the shall come out of Sion the De- ruins thereof, and I will set it liverer, and shall turn away un- up ; godliness from Jacob: 17 That the res idue of men 27. For this is my covenant might seek after the Lord, and unto them, when I shall take all the Gentiles, upon whom my away their sins. name is called, saith the Lord, (16) Acts 15:13. And after who doeth all these things. 168 JESUS IS COMING. there, and in Egypt and elsewhere. But in the future, or second restoration, not one will be left. "If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will He fetch thee." Deut. 30:4. "Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, give up; and to the south, keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; EVEN EVERY ONE that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Isa. 43:5-7. "For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day; and I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel." Ezek. 34:11-13. "Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity, among the heathen; but I have gathered them unto their own land, and HAVE LEFT NONE OF THEM ANY MOKE THERE." Ezek. 39:28-29. In the first restoration it was only Jews who returned. In the second, or future restoration, it will he both Judah (the two tribes) and Israel (the ten tribes).* "In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers." Jer. 3:18. "And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, EA'EN ALL OF IT, and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded." Ezek. 36:10. Ezekiel was directed to take two sticks, representing Judah and Joseph, which should be joined and become one stick in his hand, and when the people enquired what it meant, he was directed to say unto them : "Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the chil- dren of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them ONE NATION in Except in this place, we use the word Israel in its broader sense, meaning the whole twelve tribes. RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 169 the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them ALL; and they shall be NO MORE two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all." Ezek. 37:15-22. At the first restoration they returned to be overthrown and driven out again. But in the second, they shall return to remain, no more to go out. They shall be exalted and dwell safely, and the Gentile nations shall flow unto them. Permanent Restoration. "I will plant them upon their land, and they SHALL NO MORE BE PULLED UP out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord their God." Amos 9:15. "And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beasts of the land devour them: but they shall DWELL SAFELY, and none shall make them afraid." Ezek. 34:28. "And I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, even my people Israel; and thou Shalt NO MORE HENCEFORTH BEREAVE THEM OF MEN." Ezek. 36:11-12. "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excel- lency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shall suck the breast of kings; and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob." Isa, 60:15-16. All Nations Shall Tlow Unto Israel. "As I LIVE, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.. . . I will lift up my hand to the Gen- tiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders, and kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet." Isa. 49:18, 22, 23. "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow into it. And many nations shall .come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the moun- tain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Mic. 4:1-2. 170 JESUS IS COMING. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; it shall yet come tc pass, f^at there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many c;t!ea. And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying; Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will also go. Yea, MANY PEOPLE and STRONG NATIONS shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God Is with you." Zech. 8:20-23. "And it shall come to pass, THAT EVERY ONE THAT is LEFT OF ALL THE NATIONS which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." Zech. 14:16. In the first Restoration, because of their blindness, and hard, stony hearts, they rejected and killed Jesus. But in the future Restoration they shall REPENT of all this, and have CLEAN HEARTS, and ACCEPT OF CHRIST, who will be their King. Look Upon Me. "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of suppli- cations; and they shall look upon me whom they have PIERCED, AND THEY SHALL MOURN FOR HIM, AS ONE MOURN- ETH FOR HIS ONLY SON, AND SHALL BE IN BITTERNESS FOR HIM, AS ONE THAT IS IN BITTERNESS FOR HIS FIRST-BORN. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megid- don. And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house. of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart." Zech. 12:10-14. "They shall .come with weeping and with supplications will I lead them; I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born. Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattereth Israel will g-ather him. and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; and will be their God, and they shall be my peo- r>le." Jer. 31:9, 10, 33. RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 171 The Cleansing of Israel. "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you. and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you." Ezek. 36:24-28. "Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will save them out of all their dwell- ing places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them; so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: . . . and they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, where- in your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they and their children, and their .children's children, forever: and my servant David shall be their prince, for- ever, . . . my tabernacle shall also be with them: yea, I will be their God and they shall be my people." Ezek. 37:23- 27. "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall exe- cute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'" [Jehovah, Tsidkenu,] Jer. 23:3-6. "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it." Ezek. 34:23-24. Nothing has ever yet been built like the temple which Ezekiel describes in chapters 40 to 48, and this includes a 172 JESUS IS COMING. definite description of the location of each tribe, as they shall be settled in this great future restoration. See Ch. 48. Confusing Israel with the Church. It would seem that such overwhelming testimony would convince every fair-minded reader, that there is a glorious future restoration in store for Israel. And yet, many say, that we must interpret all this Scripture "spiritually," and they fritter away the point and the force of such explicit declarations, in attempting to apply them to the persecuted Church. This is a very great error, and we believe it has arisen, principally, from a misunderstanding of Paul's arguments in his epistles. He does not confound Israel with the Church when he says, "They are not all Israel which are of Israel." Nor does he confound the Church with Israel when he makes us children of Abraham by faith; but he demonstrates that we all stand by faith alone. In 1 Cor. 10 :32, 1T he makes a clear distinction between the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Church of God.* There are special bless- ings for the Church, and special blessings for Israel. He plainly shows that not all the natural seed are true Israel- ites. He only is a Jew who has circumcision of heart in the spirit. 18 And though multitudes of Israel have passed away in unbelief, still Paul distinctly declares that there is a remnant WHICH SHALL BE SAVED. 19 He so loved them that he could sacrifice himself, and even be separated from Christ for their sakes. 20 He saw their future glory, as the *The Jews who accept Christ in this dispensation become part of the Church. See page 88. (17) 1 Cor. 10 :32. Give none the number of the children of offence, neither to the Jews, nor Israel be as the sand of the sea, to the Gentiles, nor to the church a remnant shall be saved. f *' heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not (20) Rom. 9:3. For I could Of men, but of God. wish that myself were accursed (19) Rom. 9:27. Esaias also from Christ for my brethren, my crieth concerning Israel, Though kinsmen according to the flesh. RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 173 natural branches yet to be grafted into their own olive tree, which should be nothing less than life from the dead. 21 Jesus said, in Luke 21:24, "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." And Paul understood this mystery, that when "the fullness of the Gentiles be come in," "there should come out of Zion the Deliverer, who should turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Rom. 11:25-26. And this is fully confirmed by the following: In Amos 8 and 9, we read of the awful calamities which should come upon Israel. And not until they had been SIFTED AMONG ALL NATIONS would the Lord gather and plant them, and raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen. When the apostles and elders were gathered in the first council at Jerusalem, considering this same question about Israelites and the Church, the Holy Spirit directed the mind of James to this very prophecy in Amos, to show that during this sifting of Israel, God was to TAKE OUT of the Gentiles a people to His name, and AFTER THIS to build again the tabernacle of David. Acts 15 :13-17. So we see that these restoration prophecies can not be applied to the Church, which is first to be TAKEN OUT before Israel and Jerusalem are to be restored. Again, one of the most specific prophecies of their re- storation is addressed, not to the people, but to the MOUN- TAINS OF ISRAEL, which leaves no possible doubt as to the LITERAL MEANING intended. 22 (21) Rom. 11:15. For if the my people of Israel; for they are casting away of them te the at hand to come. reconciling of the world, what 9. For, behold, I am for you, shall the receiving of them be, and I will turn unto you, and ye but life from the dead? shall be tilled and sown: (22) Ezek. 36:1. Also, thou 10. And I will multiply men son of man, prophesy unto the upon you, all the house of Israe'., mountains of Israel, and say, Ye even all of it :" and the cities mountains of Israel, hear the shall be inhabited, and tho word of the Lord : wastes shall be builded : 8. But ye, O mountains of Is- ' 11. And I will multiply upon rael, ye shall shoot forth your you man and beast ; and they branches, and yield your fruit to shall increase and bring fruit: 174 JESUS IS COMING. The Day of Jacob's Trouble. Surely Israel SHALL BE RESTORED; but there is an AWFUL TIME OF TROUBLE awaiting her. Their sins are mountain high. Upon them is the guilt of innocent blood, even the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Mat. 27:25. The faithful prophet saw it when he wrote : "And these are the words that the Lord spake concern- ing Israel and concerning Judah. "For thus saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, c? fear, and not of peace. "Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness. "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jer. 30:4-7. /'Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abomina- tions." Ezek, 36:31. Yes, they shall repent and loathe themselves. They "shall pass through the sea with affliction." 23 Many shall die, but the third part shall be saved. and I will settle you after your come upon the four corners of old estates, and will do better the land. unto you than at your begin- 3. Now is the end come upon nings ; and ye shall know that I thee, and I will send mine anger am the Lord. upon thee, and will judge thee (23) Zech. 10-11. And he according to thy ways, and will shall pass through the sea with recompense upon thee all thine affliction, and shall smite the abominations, waves in the sea, and all the 4 - And mJne eTe sha11 n t deeps of the river shall dry up ; spare thee, neither will I have and the pride of Assyria shall be P { ty : but I will recompense thy brought down, and the sceptre 'ways upon thee, and thine abom- of Egypt shall depart away. inations shall be in the midst of thee ; and ye shall know that I Ezek. 7:1. Moreover the Qm the ^^ word of the Lord came unto me, 8 Now will j shortly pour out saying, m y f ury upon thee, and accom- 2. Also, thou son of man, thus plish mine anger upon thee ; and saith the Lord God unto the land I will Judge thee according to of Israel ; An. end, the end is thy ways, and will recompense RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. 175 "And I will bring the THIRD PART through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name and I will hear them; I will say, it is my people; and they shall say, the Lord is my God." Zech. 13:9. All this is intimately connected with the coming of Christ, not at the Rapture, but at the Revelation. (See diagram page 72.) For we read, "When the Lord shall build up Zion, HE SHALL APPEAR IN HlS GLORY." Psa. 102:16. It is when He appears with His saints (the Church) in flaming fire to execute judgment (2 Thes. 1:7-10; Jude 14) upon the nations and upon Israel, who are the third party in Mat. 25 :36, etc., 24 and who are not to be reckoned among the nations. Nu. 23 :9. It is when He sits as a refiner and purifier. "Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord whom ye seek, shall sud- denly come to His temple, even the messenger of the cove- nant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. "But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. "And I will come near you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts." Mai. 3:1-5. "He shall indeed refine Israel in the furnace of af- thee for all thine abominations'. (24) Mat. 25 :40. And the 9. And mine eye shall not King shall answer and say unto spare, neither will I have pity : them. Verily I say unto you, I will recompense thee accord- Inasmuch as ye have done it un- ing to thy ways and thine abom- to one of the least of these my inations that are in the midst of brethren, ye have done it unto thee ; and ye shall know that I me. am the Lord that smiteth. 176 JESUS IS COMING. fliction." 25 And they shall arise and shine, for THEIB LIGHT SHALL COME. 26 Arise and shine in youth immortal, Thy light is come, thy King appears! Beyond the centuries' swinging portal, Breaks a new dawn THE THOUSAND YEARS! We might fill a book with comments upon how Israel shall be restored, but all we have desired to do was to show that it is an incontrovertible fact of prophecy, and that it is intimately connected with our Lord's appearing, and this we trust we have satisfactorily accomplished. The detail of the manner of their restoration, and of their repentance and acceptance of Christ, is not so im- portant to us. For those who are of the Church are to be taken away first, in the Rapture, and escape all these things through which Israel must pass. 27 True, many have found the scudy of this detail a rich blessing, and we give the result which one has reached on pages 187 to 195, and yet we believe that we cannot now discern the order of these things so clearly as Israel will in the great rush of events, after the Church is taken away, and when the Book is more completely unsealed and opened. Dan. 12:4. It is enough for us to know that it will be in the LATTER DAYS (Isa. 2:2) that Antichrist is to be revealed and destroyed by Jesus the King of the Jews, who is coming (2 Thes. 2:8), and that Israel, His people, "are at hand to come." Ezk. 36 :8. (25) Isa. 48:10. Behold, I 3. And the Gentiles shall come have refined thee, but not with to thy light, and kings to the silver ; I have chosen thee in brightness of thy rising. the furnace of affliction. 4 L}ft tw roun!l Psa. 66:10. For thou, O God about and see . all tn ther hast proved us : thou hast tried themselves together, they come Ml ,V J VeP *r ed \ , t( > t he e: thy sons shall come (26) Isa 60:1. Arise, shine; from far and th daughters shall for thy light is come and the be nurged at th side glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (27) Luke 21:36. Watch ye 2. For, behold, the darkness therefore, and pray always, that shall cover the earth, and gross ye may be accounted worthy to darkness the people : but the escape all these things that shall Lord shall arise upon thee, and come to pass, and to Stand before his glory shall be seen upon thee. the Son of man. CHAPTER XVI. The Study of Prophecy. It may be you disapprove the study of prophecy, because Jesus said: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man" (Mat. 24:36), and, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1 :7. Dear reader ! do not conceive that the study of prophecy consists merely in the setting of dates or forecasting future events. For wise reasons the Master has withheld from us "the day and the hour" when He will come, but He called the Pharisees hypocrites, because they could not discern the signs of the times, and He has commanded us to WATCH, and he has pronounced a blessing upon the study of proph- ecy. 1 Peter exhorts us to GIVE HEED unto the sure word of prophecy. 2 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16. The greater part of this Scripture consists of prophecy, and if Christians would give more attention to it, they would not find themselves distracted from present service, but "they would find much light thrown on their present path, much practical encouragement given to their minis- try." Their faith would rest upon a broader and deeper comprehension of God's character and ways, and their spiritual horizon would stand out in clearer outline than before. (1) Rev. 1:3. Blessed is he Luke 11:28. But he said, Yea, that readeth, and they that hear rather, blessed are they that hear the words of this prophecy, and the word of God, and keep it. keep those things which are writ- (2) 2 Pet. 1 :19. And we have ten therein : for the time is at the word of prophecy made more hand. sure ; whereunto ye do well that Rev. 22 :7. Behold, I come ye take heed, as unto a lamp quickly : blessed is he that keep- shining in a dark place, until eth the sayings of the prophecy the day dawn, and the day-star of this book. arise IB your hearts. (177) 178 JESUS IS COMING. "But to Berceive and understand all this requires much more than a surface study of Scripture, or the mere fore- casting of future events. It must be read in its prof ounder teachings, in those wonderful depths of meaning that under- lie its illustrations, its metaphors, its history, as well as sparkle up to the sunlight, hi its bright prophetic 'an- nouncement of coming glory." Such a study of God's word will be found of paramount importance to meet the' skepticism of the day, "for it furnishes us out of God's own armory, and trains us in His school of warfare." See how God uses prophetic truth to confound the philosophers and skeptics. 3 And He points to the prophecies fulfilled as an assurance of the accomplishment of the new things de- clared by Him. "Before they spring forth I tell you of them." 4 And He sets forth Israel as the WITNESSES be- fore all nations of the Word He has declared and that He is God. 6 And such they *r c to-day. Prophecy is their history. Who but God couid thus preserve them? (3) Isa. 41 :21. Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strons: reasons, saith the King of Jacob. 22. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen : let them show the for- mer things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them ; or de- clare us things for to come. 23. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods ; yea, do good, or do evil that we may be dismayed, and behold it to- gether. (4) Isa. 42 :8. I am the Lord ; that is my name : and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven im- ages. 9. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare : before they spring forth I tell you of them. (5) Isa. 43:9. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled : who among them can declare this, and show us former things'? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified : or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 10. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen ; that ye may know and believe me, and un- derstand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11. I, even I, am the Lord ; and besides me there is no sa- viour. 12. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you : therefore ye are my wit- nesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. PROPHECY THE BEST WEAPON. 179 Who but God could foretell their history? "This weapon alone out of God's armory can cut through all the sophistries and opposition of men." God forbid then that we should despise prophecies. 1 Thes. 5:20. (Trpo^rctas Prophecies.) "0 Earth, Earth, Earth, hear the Word of the Lord." Jer. 22:29. CHAPTER XVII. A Practical Doctrine. We have asserted that this truth of the coming of the Lord is eminently practical. In proof of this, we here ap- pend the following references, to show how Jesus and the Apostles used the prophecies of His coming again as t motive to incite us. 1. To watchfulness, Mat. 24 :42-44 ; 25 :13 ; Mark 13 :32- 37; Lu. 12:35-38; Rev. 16:15. 2. To Sobriety, 1 Thes. 5:2-6; 1 Pet. 1:13; 4:7; 5:8. 3. To repentance, Acts 3 :19-21 ; Rev. 3 :3. 4. To fidelity, Mat. 25:19-21; Lu. 12:42-44; 19:12-13. 5. Not to be ashamed of Christ, Mar. 8:38. 6. Against worldliness, Mat. 16:26-27 7. To moderation or mildness, Phil. 4:5. 8. To patience, Heb. 10:36-37; James 5:7-8. 9. To mortification of fleshly lusts, Col. 3 :3-5. 10. To sincerity, Phil. 1 :9-10. 11. To the practical sanctification of the entire being, 1 Thes. 5 :23. 12. To ministerial faithfulness, 2 Tim. 4:1-2. 13. To induce, obedience to the Apostle's in- junctions, 1 Tim. 6:13-14. 14. To pastoral diligence and purity, 1 Pet. 5:2-4. 15. To purify ourselves, 1 John 3 :2-3. 16. To abide in Christ, 1 John 2:28. 17. To endure manifold temptations and the severest trial of faith, 1 Pet. 1:7. 18. To bear persecution for the sake of our Lord, 1 Pet. 4:13. 19. To holy conversation and godliness, 2 Pet. 3 :11-13. 20. To brotherly love, 1 Thes. 3 :12-13. 21. To keep in mind our heavenly citizenship, Phil. 3:20-21. 22. To love the second coming of Christ, 2 Tim. 4:7-8. 23. To look for Him,- Heb. 9:27-23, (180) A PRACTICAL DOCTEINE. 181 24. To confidence that Christ will finish the work, Phil. 1:6. 25. To hold fast the hope firm unto the end, Rev. 2:25; 3:11. 26. To separation from worldly lusts and to live Godly, Titus 2:11-13. 27. To watchfulness because of its suddenness, Lu. 17:24-30. 28. To guard against hasty judgment, 1 Cor. 4:5. 29. To the hope of a rich reward, Mat. 19:27-28. 30. To assure the disciples of a time of rejoicing. 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16; 1 Thes. 2:19. 31. To comfort the apostles in view of Christ's de- parture from them, John 14:3; Acts 1:11. 32. Practical faith in the second coming, is a crowning grace and assurance of blameless- ness in the day of the Lord, 1 Cor. 1:4-8. 33. It is the principal event for which the be- liever waits, 1 Thes. 1 :9-10. 34. It is declared to be the time of reckoning with the servants, Mat. 25:19. 35. Of judgment for the living nations, Mat. 25 :31-46. 36. Of the resurrection of the saints, 1 Cor. 15:23. 37. Of the manifestation of the saints, 2 Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:4. 38. It is declared to be the source of consolation to those who sorrow over the dead who sleep in Jesus, 1 Thes. 4:14-18. 39. It is declared to be the time of Tribulation to unbelievers, 2 Thes. 1:7-9. 40. It is proclaimed every time the Lord's Supper is celebrated, 1 Cor. 11:26. Such are some of the uses made of this doctrine in the New Testament. It is employed to arm the appeals, to point the arguments, and to enforce the exhortations. What is there more PRACTICAL in any other doctrine? We would that we had space to give the passages referred to in full. But it will be a greater blessing to you, dear reader, if you will go to the Word and search them out. 182 JESUS IS COMING. We have made no distinction between those passages which refer to the Rapture, and those which refer to the Revela- tion, both classes being equally used as a motive for the practical purposes mentioned. The following outline and arrangement of Scripture has been taken principally from a little pamphlet published in London. It is a concise view of the pre-millennial coming, with plain proof-texts of the same, conveniently arranged for reference and study. As the texts cited are necessarily brief, it will be found of great profit to read the context of each in the Word. In connection with the diagrams on pages 72 and 225, we believe it will enable every prayerful reader to apprehend the order of events that pertain to the coming of Christ, both as THE BRIDEGROOM and as THE KING. CHAPTER XVIII. THE COMING OF THE LORD And Some Subsequent Events in Their Connection with the Church's Future. "Howbelt, when He, the Spirit of truth la come, . things to come." John 16:13. He will snow yon THE LORD'S PROMISE. His Faithfulness. The Hope of the Church.(b) "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself." Jno. 14:2, 3. "I go away, and come again unto you." Jno. 14:28. "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." Jno. 16:16. "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice." Jno. 16:22. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise." 2 Pet. 3:9. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope (a) without wavering; for He is faithful that promised; . . . and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." He. 10:23, 25. "For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." He. 10:37. "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:8. "Surely I come quickly: Amen." Rev. 22:20. "Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation." He. 9:28. (a) So the Greek.