The Lord's return, see in history and in Scripture as premillennial and imminent

Introduction

By Bishop Wilson T. Hogue y Ph. D.

That our world is approaching a momentous crisis is believed and asserted by thoughtful men in every walk and department of life. Intelligent and serious minds cannot escape this conviction. There may be differences of opinion as to how near the crisis may be ; also as to just how it will be ushered in, and as to many of its final consequences ; but all are agreed that events of unprecedented importance are impending, and that as an ultimate result of this approaching crisis the entire framework of the existing social order is likely to be revolutionized.

Poets have written of that

" One far off divine event Towards which, the whole creation moves,'*

and of a coming era among the nations

" When the war drums throb no longer, And the battle flags are furled, In the parliament of man, The federation of the world."

The prophets of God in all ages have foreseen and foretold the dawn of a golden age, the ultimate establishment of the kingdom of God in visible glory upon the earth, the universal triumph of righteousness in our world, and, as a result of the moral and spiritual transformation of society, of an era in which "the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bond-

INTKODUCTION age of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

The conviction is also growing among thinking men that the approach of that golden age which has been the dream of poets and the vision of devout seers and prophets throughout the ages is not such a "far off divine event ' ' some would like to have it ; but that it is ever imminent, likely to occur at any time, and may occur before the present generation of men and women pass from the theatre of the world's events.

According to the Christian Scriptures the dawning of the age so long foretold by prophecy, and so loDg and ardently hoped for by devout men in all the world, awaits the return of Jesus Christ to our earth to consummate redemption's purpose and to gather in the final harvest of His redeeming work. Hence the Christians of the Apostolic Age and of the early centuries of Christian history made much of the doctrine of the Lord's return ; and the hope of His epiphany was to them a constant motive to all sobriety, diligence, watchfulness, zeal, patience, heroism, as also to all purity of life and holiness of character ; and was likewise a source of deepest consolation in times of darkness and sorrow, and of abounding peace and triumphant joy under all the adverse conditions of their militant career.

Kegarding His Second Advent Jesus says, speaking from His Father's throne, "Behold, I come quickly. " St. James assures us that "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh." The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews says, ' ' Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry;" also, "Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time,

INTRODUCTION without sin, unto salvation. " Throughout the New Testament Scriptures we are exhorted to "look for" His coming j to "watch" for it; to "wait" for it; to be " hasting " to it ; to "pray " for it ; to "prepare the way" for it ; to "rejoice" in expectation of it.

But how can any one obey any of these directions who does not believe the Lord can personally return until the world has been converted and a thousand years of universal righteousness shall have intervened f Yet such is the doctrine held by many concerning the return of Jesus Christ to this world. Those who hold this view have been characterized as Post-millenarian, because of their belief that the Lord's personal return will not take place until after the Millennium ; while those who believe His coming will precede the Millennium are called Pre-millenarian.

The author of this book has undertaken to furnish a concise treatise on " The Lord's Eeturn," as pre-millennial, giving us the result of great research on the subject under the following heads: I. "The Lord's Eeturn Seen in History;" II. "The Lord's Eeturn Seen in Scripture." Under the first division the history of the Pre-millennial doctrine is traced from the earliest period of Christian history down to the present day. He has shown by a large collection of writings, gleaned from the early Fathers and their contemporaries, that this doctrine was held by practically the whole Church during the first three centuries. He has also as clearly shown that the decline of the doctrine was due to the adoption of Origen's allegorizing method of interpreting the Scriptures ; to the unholy union of Church and State under Constantine ; and to the gradual rise of the Papacy, by

INTRODUCTION which it was finally excluded entirely from the creed and regarded with the utmost contempt. He has likewise shown how the doctrine survived during the Dark Ages which followed, being held by the spiritual remnants of the Lord's people in various countries, by whom spiritual religion was preserved from utter decay, and "the faith once delivered to the saints" was transmitted to later generations. This part of the work is a marvellous encyclopedia of information, and exhibits the results of long, patient and painstaking research.

Under the second division the author has kept admirably to his purpose to present in concise form the teaching of the Scriptures on the Pre-millennial return of Christ ; and his selection and interpretation of Scripture proofs appears to me both sane and sensible. He has buttressed his position with a great array 'of eminent ancient and modern authorities, evidencing the same extensive research as in the historical part of the work. He has wisely avoided entering into detail regarding the millennial period, making no attempt to mark out a program for the Lord to work when He shall come.

The book is so arranged in paragraphs and subparagraphs, with a copious analytical Table of Contents and a complete Index, as to make it convenient and valuable as a book of reference on the general subject of the Lord's return. I regard it as a valuable contribution to the literature of eschatology, and cordially commend its contents to the perusal and careful consideration of all seriously minded persons.

W. T. H.

Michigan City, Indiana.

Preface

Jesus ascended to heaven. His disciples saw Him go. " While they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight' ' (Acts i. 9).

Jesus will return. To lone disciples, gazing upward, angels speak these precious words : ' ' This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts i. 11). In the Scriptures it is written, " I will return" (Acts xv. 16). Jesus said to His disciples, "I will come again" (John xiv. 3).

We know how a fond and affectionate maiden looks seaward to watch for a ship's return. We have seen how grateful nations have welcomed their heroes home. " Even so, come, Lord Jesus ' ' (Eev. xxii. 20). The people of God are deeply interested in the coming back to earth of Him who sweat great drops of blood under the olive trees of old Gethsemane and stained the stones of Calvary with blood from His broken heart that He might save their souls from the bitter pangs of eternal death. They "love His appearing" (2 Tim. iv. 8).

Nearly a hundred years ago when the venerable Dr. Adam Clarke wrote his notes on the Prophecy of Daniel he observed that the words of that princely seer were "closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Dan. xii. 9) which "will not arrive before the twentieth century, " and according to his calculation the Mohammedan world will fade away and the Millen-

PEEFACE nium become a grand reality within the first half of the present century.

While the day and hour of the Lord's return is not revealed to inquiring man the leading missionaries and evangelists of the world believe the time is drawing near. A proud and stately ship speeds onward in the darkness and a gay and thoughtless multitude revels in peace and safety while sudden destruction lies ahead. God help us to sound a faithful warning and push to the rescue of perishing souls. "The time is short" (1 Cor. vii. 29).

The tenets of Eussellism are scattered everywhere. Satanic Spiritualism and social infidelity are awful undercurrents into which millions are being drawn. Timely attention is being directed towards the present aspect of Eoman Catholicism. The secularization of Christianity, the encroachment of Mohammedanism, the clashing of arms on the fields of ancient history, the rapid transformation of steel into colossal engines of war, the general running to and fro, the restive fermentation of the world, together with the discovery of glaring errors in the established reckonings of Old Testament chronology, have awakened a lively interest in the study of eschatology and moved a thinking world to watch the signs of the times and talk of the Lord's return.

I trust the Holy Spirit has prompted me in preparing this contribution to literature on a subject dear to all who love our Lord's appearing. For several years the conviction to prepare the following work has been impressed upon my mind. It has seemed a duty from which I have been unable to turn away. I have searched with diligence the writings

PEEFACE of good and learned men from the time of the Apostolic Fathers down to the ablest writers of the present day. Numerous works have been purchased for constant reference and many old volumes now out of print have been cheerfully loaned by valued friends.

Dr. Edward J. Knox, of Butler, Pennsylvania, deserves special mention for his kindness in granting free access to his extensive private library and directing me to desired sources of information. Bishop Hurst, when writing his ' 1 History of the Christian Church, " corresponded with Br. Knox for information from this library which in the judgment of Bishop Hamilton is one of the choicest collections owned by any Methodist preacher in the United States. Besides various literary works of great value it contains over one hundred bound volumes of Wesley's Magazine in consecutive order from the time of its appearance in the eighteenth century. Valuable matter not generally accessible has thus been obtained. Much information has been gathered from the public libraries in Pittsburgh.

Special care has been taken to secure accuracy in citations. To condense much into little space has been my constant aim. Foot-notes remove from the body of the text all tedious insertions and also direct the critical mind to sources of information.

By the grace of God this work is now completed. Patient research, earnest prayer, and gracious blessing from the Holy Spirit have enabled me to accomplish that which I now offer to thoughtful and serious readers. If there be any virtue in the service rendered, to my heavenly Father may highest praise be given. J. F. S.

Abbreviations and Definitions

Apoc Apocalypse or Book of Revelation.

art article.

Chiliast (Kil'-I-ast) . one who believes Christ will return and reign visibly during the Millennium.

Ch'n Christian.

Ch. Church.

ch chapter.

com commentary.

Cyclo Cyclopedia.

Ency Encyclopedia.

ed edition.

Millen Millennium.

N. T New Testament.

O. T Old Testament.

pre pre-millennial.

post post-millennial.

sup supplement.

Rome Romish ; the ruling power of the Roman Catholic Church.

X, 9 volume X., page 9. (Illustrating citations.)

period of time.

Abridged Directory of Works Cited

Abbott . . . Lyman Abbott, " Dictionary of Religious Knowledge,"

New York, 1874.

" Americano Ency.," 1905.

" American Cycle," 1883.

" Antinomianism Revised," Daniel Steele, Boston, 1899. Barnes, Albert, " Notes on Revelation," N. Y., 1863. " Bibliotheca Sacra," XLV, 1888; art. by Dr. S. H. Kellogg, Toronto.

Blackburn ..." Church History," Cincinnati, 1879.

Blackstone . . . (W. E. B.), « Jesus is Coming," Chicago, 1908.

Brown . . . David Brown, of Glasgow, " Second Advent : Christ's Second Advent ; Will It Be Pre-millennial ? " N. Y., 1856. A peerless post-millennial work.

"Cambridge Bible for Colleges," University Press, England, 1898; forty volumes by twenty-two eminent exegetes.

" Catholic Ency.," New York, 191 1.

" Century Dictionary," N. Y., 191 1.

" Chambers Ency.," Phila., 191 1 ; also ed. of 1884, when specified. Clarke, Adam, " Com. on the Bible," N. Y., 1833, B. Waugh and T. Mason.

« Corner Stones of Faith," N. Y., 1898, by C. H. Small, Amer. Hist. Ass'n.

El. . . . Elliott, Dr. E. B., "Horse Apocalypticae," London, 185 1. Four volumes of encyclopedic erudition.

" Ency. Brit." ..." Encyclopedia Brittannica," Cambridge, Eng., 191 1, eleventh ed. Art. " Millen." in 9th and nth ed. by Adolph Harnock, German theologian.

" Ency. Dictionary," Phila., 1898; art. " Millen.," Ill, 3134, 3135. " Fathers, Ante-Nicene," New York, 1903.

" Fathers, Nicene and Post-Nicene," Ibid. Other editions are specified if cited.

Field, Benjamin, « Handbook of Ch'n Theology," New York, 1887. Fisher, G. P. (Yale), "History of Ch'n Doct.," N. Y., 1896. Fletcher, John, "Works," New York, 1849. Gibbon, Edward, " Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." Gieseler, J. K. L., " Compendium of Eccl. History," Edinburgh, 1854. Greswell, Edward, " Expositions of the Parables and Other Parts of

the Gospels," 1834; five volumes.

Hastings, " Dictionary of the Bible," 1908.

Hodge, Charles, " Systematic Theology," N. Y., 1872; three volumes. Hurst, Bishop John F., " Hist, of the Ch'n Ch.," N. Y., 1897. " International Critical Commentary," N. Y. Prepared by the highest exegetical scholarship.

Jamieson, Faussett & Brown, commentary, Hartford. " John Wesley and Pre-millennialism," Nathaniel West, Cincinnati,

from Brooklyn ed. of 1894.

Kurtz . . . Prof. Kurtz, " Church History," N. Y., 1889 ; three volumes ; translated by John McPherson from the German standard text-book.

M. . . . Symbol for McClintock & Strong's " Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Cycle," N. Y., 1871; revised to 1887; twelve volumes.

Merrill, Bishop S. M., " New Testament Idea of Hell," Cincin.,

1878; "Second Coming of Christ," Cincinnati, 1879. Mosheim, J. L., "Ecclesiastical History," Baltimore, 1842. Mauro, Philip, " Number of Man," London, 19 10; " Man's Day,"

Ibid.

" Museum of Antiquity," Phila., 1880.

Myers, P. V. M., « General History," Boston, 1893.

Parker Society edition of the " Writings of the Early Reformers," Cambridge, England.

Pickett, L. L., " Blessed Hope of His Glorious Appearing," Louisville, 1901 ; also, "The Renewed Earth."

"Plain Truths for Plain People," H. L. Hastings, Boston, 1894; " Number 44," April I, 1895, of Anti-Infidel Library.

Pope, W. B., " Compendium of Christian Theology," N. Y., 1881 ; three volumes.

" Popular and Critical Bible Ency.," Chicago, 1904.

Raymond, Miner, " Systematic Theology," Cincinnati, 1877.

Ropes, Prof. J. H., " The Apostolic Age," N. Y., 1907.

S-H . . . Schaff-Herzog, " Religious Cyclopedia," New York and London, 1910; art. " Millen." by C. A. Beckwith, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Chicago. Schaff-Herzog, old edition; art. " Millen." by Dr. Semisch, German theologian, who wrote art. " Chiliasmus " in the old " Real-Encyklopcedie."

Schaff, Philip, " Church History," New York, 1905.

Seiss . . . J. A. Seiss, " Last Times," Louisville, 1878.

Seiss, J. A., " Lectures on the Apocalypse," N. Y., 1901 ; " Voices

from Babylon," Ibid.

Sims, A., " Behold the Bridegroom Cometh," Kingston, Ontario 1900; " Deepening Shadows and Coming Glories," Toronto, 1905* Steele . . . See " Antinomianism Revived." Stephens, Abel, " History of Methodism," New York, 1858. T. . . . Taylor, Daniel T., « Voice." " The Reign of Christ on Earth ; or, The Voice of the Church in all Ages Concerning the Coming and Reign of the Redeemer," Boston, 1864. Several hundred preachers and writers are quoted, with detailed citations to their works and to other sources of information.

Trench, Archbp. R. C, " Notes on the Parables," 1841 ; on the

" Miracles," 1846; " Christ the Desire of all Nations," 1850. Tyerman, Luke, " Life of John Wesley," New York, 1872 ; three volumes.

" UEP Ency." ..." United Editors' Perpetual Encyclopedia," Chicago, 191 1 ; art. « Millen." in Vol. XVIII. Pages not numbered.

" Universal Cyclo.," N. Y., 1900; formerly Johnson's.

Wesley, John, " Sermons," third American edition, N. Y. In " Notes " and " Works" quoted, editions are specified.

West . . . See « John Wesley and Pre."

Young, Robert, "Analytical Concordance," N. Y., 1910. In the Greek, Young's spelling and simple word forms are adopted to facilitate reference. For endings, see Testament and Grammars.

Section I.— The Return Of Christ And The Millennium

I. Phases of the Subject Commanding Our At-

tention . . . . i .27

Importance — Prominence — Influence — Our duty — Miiller, Lincoln, Talmage and Collett.

II. The Millennium and Its Relation to the

Lord's Return . . . . . .32

Term defined — Nature — Duration — Belief in — Pre or Post — Statements — Points argued — Testimony — Heresies of Russellism.

Section Ii.— The Pre-millennial Faith Of The Early Church

III. The Creed of the Apostles was Pre-Mil-

Testimony — Writing and preaching in the city of Rome — The Didache — Old Roman creed — The Roman Catholic Church corrupts the primitive creed.

IV. What Historians Say of the Faith of the

Early Church ...... 54

Schaff, Gibbon and various others quoted.

V. An Examination of the Writings of the Early

1. Apostolic Fathers — Wesley on — Westcott on — Barnabas quoted — Clement of Rome — Hernias— Ignatius — Polycarp — Papias — 6,000 years — Theophilus of Antioch — Present status of chronology.

2. Ante-Nicene Fathers — Justin Martyr — Irenaeus — Tertullian — Cyprian — Commodianus — Lactantius — Numerous others.

VI. The Montanists ..... 70

Chiliasm — Character — Dispersion.

VII. NOVATIAN AND HlS PURITAN CHURCHES . 73

Novatian — Puritan — Cathari.

VIII. The Council of Nice was Pre-Millennial 74

Authorities cited — Whitby concedes it.

IX. The Salutary Effect of the Primitive

Authorities cited.

SECTION III.— THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH INVENTS THE POST-MILLENNIAL SYSTEM AND BURIES THE FAITH OF THE PRIM- ITIVE CHURCH

X. The Troublesome Book of Revelation

Rejected 78

The Alogi — Caius of Rome — Origen — Dionysius of Alexandria — The Council of Laodicea.

XI. The Rise and Reign of Constantine . . 81

Unites Church and State — Character — Influence — Wesley.

XII. The Catholic Church Corrupts the

Nicene Creed 83

Forgery — Misrepresentation.

XIII. Character and Influence of Jerome . . 84

Hates Chiliasm — Character — Corrupt policies.

XIV. Augustine ...... 86

Early life — Exegetical weakness — Pre-Destinarianism — Millennial and church theories — Spiritual relapse — Bitterly opposes the Donatists — Advocates persecution.

Section Iv.— Through The Dark Ages To The Dawn Of The Reformation

XV. Rome's Hatred of the Doctrine . . 91

Will not tolerate Chiliasm — Review of Record — Citations.

XVI. The Awful Wickedness of the Dark

Rome's promotion of the social evil.

XVII. The Waldenses .... 94

Primitive origin — Antiquity disputed by Rome — Name — St. Paul — Testimonies — Dialect — Veracity — Records destroyed — Noble lesson — Pre-Millennial faith.

XVIII. The Paulicians 103

Name — Origin — Belief — Character.

XIX. The Cathari ...... 105

XX. Rome's Development of Post-Millennialism 107

Rites — Emblems — Declarations — Plans — 1000 A. d. — Enormous wealth amassed — Imperialism — Reigning saints — Judging — Ignorance fostered — Papal blessings.

XXI. Onward to the Reformation . . 113

Apocalyptic movements — St. Bernard — Joachim — Waldo — Francis of Assisi — Occam— Wyclif — Oldcastle — Savonarola.

XXII. The Reformation and the Martyrs . 121

Tyndale — Bradford — Ridley — Latimer — Cranmer — Albigenses — Anabaptists and Moravians — Huguenots and St. Bartholomew's Day — The Inquisition — Resume by Talmage.

SECTION V.— THE REVIVAL OF THE PRIMITIVE FAITH LIES AT THE FOUNDATION OF PROTESTANTISM, BRINGING THE REFOR- MATION AND FLOURISHING UNTIL THE PRESENT DAY

XXIII. Doctrinal and Denominational Development . . . . . . .129

Augsburg Confession — Bohemian Brethren — Mennonites — Reformers — Puritans — Independents — Westminster Assembly — Mystics : Boehme, Philadelphians, Wm. Law, Poiret, Madam Guyon— Pietists — Friends or Quakers —

Episcopalians — Plymouth Brethren — Presbyterians — Catholic Apostolic Church — Church of God — Adventists — Christian Alliance.

XXIV. Millennial Caricatures

Anabaptist apostates — Eva Buttlar — Swedenborg — Communistic sects — Millerites — Remarks.

XXV. John Wesley and the Early Methodists

WERE PRE-MlLLENNIAL

Exception noted — Wesley's Notes — Sermons — Samuel, the ancestor — Charles — Moravian influence — Sutcliffe, Fletcher and Coke — Parent Church — Books and writings recommended — An Article — Tyerman, Southey, Nast, Needham, Stroeter and Smith bear witness — Uncontradicted — Wesley's epitaph — Churchey.

XXVI. Reformers and Church Leaders . .162

Melancthon — Bullinger — Brousson — Zinzendorf — Jewel — Becom — Knox — Whitby — Chalmers — Milicz — Cromwell.

XXVII. The Doctrine in Poetry, Song and

Sacred Oratory . . . .165 Poets: Gerhardt, Hahn, Milton, Pope, Toplady, the Bonars, C. Wesley, Heber, Duffield — Preachers: Savonarola, Massillon, Whitefield, Rob't Hall, Spurgeon, Cumming, Lorenzo Dow, Henshaw, Tyng, Moody, Talmage, etc.

XXVIII. Eminently Spiritual People . . .172

Joris — Arndt — Piscator — Spener — Francke — Stilling — Rutherford — Alleine — Bunyan — Baxter — Mead — Phoebe Palmer.

XXIX. The World of Learning . . 178

Macaulay quoted — In early New England : the Mathers, with Spalding and others.

Expositors : Cocceius — Daubuz — Bengel — Lacunza — Stier — Lange — Usher — Matthew Henry — Lowth — Bp. Newton — Keith — Greswell — Trench — Alford — Tregelles — Sllicott — Moses Stuart — Seiss.

Educators : Alsted — Godet — Jurieu — Thiersch — Nitzsch — Rothe — Ebrard — Comenius — Poiret — Joseph Mede — T wiss — Burroughs — Palmer — Goodwin — Charnock — Wells — Napier — Sir Isaac Newton — Whiston — Faraday — Newcome — Horsely — Candlish — Chase — Mcllvaine — Nathan Lord — Mark Hopkins.

Higher Criticism — Pre advocates agree on essentials — Post advocates differ.

XXX. The Missionary World . . . 194

Zeal — Wolfe — Gaussen — Gutzlaff— Bettleheim — Delitzsch — Heber — McCheyne — Bickersteth— Duff— Miiller— J. Hudson Taylor— H. Grattan Guinness — Arthington — John G. Paton — Judson — Christian Alliance — Inspiration.

Section Vi.— Introduction To The Scrip- Tures

XXXI. The Holy Bible and Its Interpretation 203

Objections to literal interpretation considered — Warnings against allegorizing — Dangers encountered — Safety in literal interpretation — Looking towards the Lord's return — Prophecies quoted.

Section Vii.— The Resurrection Of The Righteous In Relation To The Lord's Return

XXXII. The First Resurrection, Mentioned in

Rev. xx. 5, 6, is Corporeal and Pre-

MlLLENNlAL 21 8

Date of the Apocalypse —Seizure and binding of Satan — Language compared with verses 11-13 — Concessions by Merrill and Steele — Spiritualizing — Martyr scenes — Souls — " Souls of them."

XXXIII. That the Resurrection of the Saints is Pre-Millennial is Seen in the General Teaching of the Scriptures . . 226 The Greek — Some taken ; others left — A better resurrection — Out from among the dead — Phraseology — Dan. xii. 2 — Jerusalem saints — Order ; bands — Paradise — Just and Unjust — Hour — Last day — Last trump — Illustrations.

Section Viii.— The Whole Tenor Of Bible Teaching Is Pre-millennial

XXXIV. The Kingdom of God

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

Illustration of varied aspects — Definition — Church — The transfiguration — Not of this world — Sabbatic rest.

The Trend of the Age

Evangelization of the world — Crime — The power of the Gospel — This age — The coming age.

The Jew

Preservation- Bible.

■ Down-trodden — Restoration-

Observations on Various Subjects .

Leaven — Mustard seed — Daniel's stone — Restitution — Animals — The tares — Drag-net — Long life — Daniel and Revelation agree — Antichrist — Reign of saints — Command' to watch for the Lord's return — Imminence.

Section Ix.— Pre-millennial Judgment Scenes

XXXVIII. The Judgment of the Saints . . 260

Caught up — The Magnet — No condemnation — Vindication — Reward — Assignment — Judicial prerogatives — Witnesses.

XXXIX. The Judgment of Those Who are Left

The great tribulation — The mighty conflict — Separation of all nations — Matt. xxv. 31-46 is pre-millennial — Authorities cited — Olivet discourse — Angels — Adam Clarke — Joel's prophecy — Features distinguishing from final judgment — " All nations" — " Sheep and goats " — " My brethren " — Kingdom inherited from the world's foundation — Consuming fire — " Quick and dead " — " Every eye " — Beholding Christ — Zechariah's prophecy.

XL. Down in Hades ..... 280 The abode of the wicked — Terms employed — Sheol not the abode of saints — Analysis — Hades not the grave — Saints not in hades — Mythology — Gates — Usage — Paradise not a province of Hades — Christ and hades — Purgatory.

Section X.— The Post-millennial Judg- Ment Scene

XLI. The Resurrection of the Wicked and the

Final Judgment ..... 290

Small and great — The sea — Order of events —

" Death and hell " giving up its dead — " Death "

and " hell " identical in meaning — The book of life

— The vast assembly— The righteous ; the wicked

— Survey of the scene — Parting to meet at the

Judgment.

General Index ... *oc

PART I

PART I

Section I.— The Ketubn Of Christ And The Millennium I.— Phases Of The Subject Commanding Our Attention

All things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me (Luke xxiv. 44).

i. Importance of the Subject. The Prophecies abound with definite promises pointing forward to the glory of the Latter Day. The Jews were so occupied with the study of prophecies which speak of the triumph and the glory of our Lord's return that they seem entirely to have overlooked those which told of His coming in poverty and humiliation to suffer and die for a lost world. From their angle of vision they saw only the power and the glory that shall accompany the return of the Lord to reign from the rivers to the ends of the earth.

Christ came and was rejected as the Messiah of the Jews. The literal fulfillment of the letter of every prophecy relating to His first advent was truly astonishing. Let us learn a lesson from the folly of the Jews in their failure to accept as literally true all that the

28 THE LORD'S EETUEN SEEN IN HISTOEY prophets spoke concerning the corning of Christ to suffer and die. Shall we repeat the error for which the Jews have suffered long % Shall we refuse to believe all that the prophets have written concerning the second coming of Christ? The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. We enter now upon the study of a subject of vast importance to the entire human family.

(a) The sainted Fletcher lamented the tendency to veil this important phase of Scripture teaching from the vision of the saints :

"As inattention and unbelief have cast a veil over this glorious part of the Gospel, permit me, sir, to remove a corner of the veil, and to show how the prophets have all spoken of the glorious days of the Messiah and of the days of vengeance, which shall precede them." 1

(&) Sir Isaac Newton, the 1 1 prince of philosophers, " writes :

" There is scarcely a prophecy in the Old Testament concerning Christ that does not in some way or other relate to His second coming." 2

(c) Mrs. Phoebe Palmer, whom John A. Wood styles " the Hester Ann Eodgers of American Methodism," and who "did more to spread this experience [of holiness] than any other woman in this country," 3 looked for the speedy return of Christ. Over forty years ago this pious woman wrote from Philadelphia to a minister of the Gospel, saying :

"I am glad you are with those who love the appearing of our Lord and Saviour. We are also of those who have long believed that we are living in the latter part of the last days. You ask, * What are our thoughts in relation to

1 " Works," III, 519. 2 " Prophecies on Daniel," p. 132.

THE SUBJECT OF THE LORD'S RETURN 29 the duty of a minister who believes in the speedy coming of Jesus ? ' We would say, Proclaim it fearlessly. O, it is passing strange that Christ's ministers of the present day so seldom speak of His coming again when so much is said of it in the Scriptures." 1

Dr. David Brown, of Glasgow, the strongest post-millennial writer in the English speaking world, makes this candid acknowledgment :

" 'Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me,' is a sound dear to all who love His name. To put anything in the place of it is not good, nor will it succeed, for those who preach Him bringing His reward with Him will prevail, as indeed they ought. Nor is it in regard to the personal appearing of the Saviour that the pre-millennialist will and ought to prevail against all who keep it out of sight. There is a range of truth connected with it which necessarily sinks out of its Scriptural position and influence whenever the coming of Christ is put out of its due place." 2

2. The Prominence Given to this Subject in the Sacred Scriptures. No subject in the Scriptures is mentioned nearly so often as that of the Lord's return.

" It is declared by Bickersteth and Brooks, who have counted them, and is repeated publicly by Moody and Marvin, who with others have confirmed the fact, that each and every verse in twenty-five makes direct or indirect reference to that last grand, mighty presence of Christ on earth. Every page rings out, « Behold, He cometh ! ' " 3