Jesus Is Coming Again
Chapter 13
The Principal Event.
We believe that the foregoing outline of the order of
events will commend itself to every careful student of the
Word. However, we persistently urge but ONE POINT,
and that is the PRE-MILLENNIAL COMING OF CHRIST AND
RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS. This we believe to be the GREAT
HOPE for the church, and the principal event for which believers wait.
Much has been revealed in regard to the Tribulation, the
Kingdom, etc., which follow the Rapture; but it is, as it
were, only an outline. And, dear reader, let us not be
discouraged if we cannot fully understand it.
Do not forget that THE KING is coming. And when He
comes it will be time to make known, in detail, the manner
of the Kingdom.
Post-Millennial Questionings.
Post-millennialists apparently forget this altogether, and
because they cannot fully understand those things in regard to the Lord's coming, which we now see through a
glass darkly, they reject what is plainly revealed.
If, even in the present dispensation, we cannot explain
the doctrines of "Free Will," and "God's Sovereignty," to
our mutual understanding,-much less can we comprehend
the glory, which shall be revealed in us, in the coming
Kingdom. Let us not be disturbed, then, by the questions
which they ask; such as-
How will men be saved during the Millennium?
What will be the means of grace?
What may take the place of the preaching of the gospel?
and of the sacraments of the Church?
The Jews could not have answered similar questions
before the first coming of Christ. It was not revealed until
He came.
Jesus is coming AGAIN, and it is just as consistent that
we shall receive an addition to the revealed Word of
God when He comes, as it was when He came before.
He will speak again, who spake as never man spake,
even the dead will hear His voice, and the gracious words
which shall proceed out of His mouth will be a continual
revelation.
It will all be plain when Jesus comes, for we shall be
like Him and see Him as He is, eye to eye, face to face.
Post-millennialists seem to think that all must be accomplished under the Church, and with present instrumentalities.
Pre-millennialists look for the main accomplishment
under Christ Himself, who will cut short the work in
righteousness, and with different instrumentalities.
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 STAR of the
Church, have little heart in it, and are disposed to say
very little about it. This is natural and perfectly consistent for those who believe the event is at least a thousand years away.
They very seldom preach or talk about it.
Preach the 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 descent 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 Tim. 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
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 OF
HOPE from the church, and incurring thereby a responsibility that God alone can estimate. The Church is languishing 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 OF JESUS; solemnly
and affectionately, in the name of Gad, 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 disciple a real love and relish for the Word of God, which
opens up to him like a new book.
Even Dr. Brown recognizes this, and he says: "Premillennialists have done the Church a real service by calling 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 storehouse 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) purifieth 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 liberally that we should not be begging for money to sustain
our missions.
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 FOR 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.
