"When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, . . . made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Gal. 4:4-5)
"Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever." (Rom. 16:25-27)
"By revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words, . . . which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. . . . Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." (Eph. 3:3-9)
It has been said that in the Old Testament the gospel lies concealed; in the New Testament it is revealed. As expressed by another, "As they departed from God, the Jews in a great degree lost sight of the teachings of the ritual service. That service had been instituted by Christ himself. In every part it was a symbol of him; and it had been full of vitality and spiritual beauty. But the Jews lost the spiritual life from their ceremonies, and clung to the dead forms. They trusted to the sacrifices and ordinances themselves, instead of resting upon him to whom they pointed.
Looking for Temporal Rule
"While the Jews desired the advent of the Messiah, they had no conception of his mission. They did not seek redemption from sin, but deliverance from the Romans. They looked for the Messiah to come as a conqueror, to break the oppressor's power, and exalt Israel to universal dominion. Thus the way was prepared for them to reject the Saviour.
"The people, in their darkness and oppression, and the rulers, thirsting for power, longed for the coming of one who would vanquish their enemies and restore the kingdom to Israel. They had studied the prophecies, but without spiritual insight. Thus they overlooked the scriptures that point to the humiliation of Christ's first advent, and misapplied those that speak of the glory of his second coming. Pride obscured their vision; they interpreted prophecy in accordance with their selfish desires.
"For more than a thousand years the Jewish people had waited the Saviour's coming. Upon this event they had rested their brightest hopes. In song and prophecy, in temple rite and household prayer, they had enshrined his name. And yet at his coming they knew him not. The Beloved of heaven was to them 'as a root out of a dry ground;' he had 'no form nor comeliness;' and they saw in him no beauty that they should desire him. 'He came unto his own, and his own received him not.' " [1]
Of the Lineage of David
As the time predicted by Daniel drew near, when "Messiah the Prince"-the anointed One-was to appear, the Jewish people could have reasoned, and undoubtedly did so, on this wise: The Messiah after the flesh is to be of the house and lineage of David, therefore his birth must be in that line; and according to the regulations of the Jewish law and customs, he must be anointed for public service at the age of thirty years; and if he is to appear as the anointed at that age, then his birth must be thirty years before the termination of the sixty-nine weeks of years, which are to extend to the coming of the Messiah.
Predictions of Simeon and Anna
About this time all Israel was in expectation. The earnest, devoted students of the Scriptures were looking for the birth of him who was to be their Ruler and Governor. To the aged and pious Simeon it was revealed "by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." (Luke 2:26)
When the infant Saviour was brought to the temple, Simeon knew that this child was the one referred to-the Christ. "Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. . . .
"And Simeon blessed them [Joseph and Mary], and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. . . . And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." (Luke 2:28-38)
Angels Visit the Shepherds
Previous to this the glad news of the Saviour's birth had been heralded by angels to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem. Into the listening ear of the shepherds, angels chanted these melodious strains:-
"Glory to God in the highest: On earth peace, good will to men."
The Wise Men Visit Bethlehem
Then came the wise men of the East who had seen "the star arise," as predicted by Balaam. Following its guidance they reached Jerusalem, where it became necessary to inquire for the new-born King. On being instructed that Bethlehem was to be the birthplace of the Desired One, they journeyed on; and guided thither by the star which again appeared, they were led to the humble place where the Saviour lay. Here they worshiped the holy Child, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and then took their long journey homeward.
The Saviour at Twelve Years of Age
From childhood to twelve years of age little is recorded of Christ the Saviour, except his increase in wisdom and stature, and his dutiful submission to his parents. But at the age of twelve, having accompanied Joseph and Mary up to Jerusalem to attend the annual feast, he there astonished the priests with the knowledge shown in his questions, and in the answers given to their knotty problems. From this time until he entered upon his public labors, the humble occupation of a carpenter was honored by him as he worked with Joseph, the husband of Mary.
The Mission of John the Baptist
For six months previous to his public ministry, Christ's mission was heralded by John the Baptist. The people came in vast crowds to hear John, and to be baptized of him. As they "were in expectation [expecting the Messiah to come] and all men mused ["reasoned or debated," margin] in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." (Luke 3:15-17)
Jesus Baptized
As John was administering the rite of baptism, he saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. . . . And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." (John 1:29-34)
The Voice from Heaven
Not only was Christ's Messiahship attested by the visible descent of the Holy Spirit in a bodily shape like a dove, but also by a voice from heaven. In Matthew's Gospel we read, "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:16-17)
Although "John did no miracle," the people, when they saw the mighty power that attended Christ's ministry, were constrained to say, "All things that John spake of this man were true." (John 10:41)
Christ Anointed According to Law
In connection with Luke's record of the baptism and the same anointing by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, we read, "Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age." (Luke 3:23)
After our Lord's long fast of forty days, and the fierce temptations of the devil in the wilderness, which immediately followed his baptism, 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. . . . The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. . . . And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4:16-21)
The Time is Fulfilled
Mark, in recording the same occurrence, says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15) The time predicted for the Anointed to appear had come. The anointing by the Holy Ghost had taken place at his baptism, and he was now entering upon his ministry, just in the time and manner predicted by the holy prophets of old.
Visible Proof of Christ's Messiahship
The ministry of Christ was accompanied with a constant performing of miracles, which, to the people, even if they failed fully to comprehend his parables and words, were a visible proof that he was the Immanuel, or that "God was with him." (Acts 10:38; John 3:2) In these miracles Christ was giving to the world not only an evidence of the power of God in himself, but also a practical demonstration of the character of God and of his loving kindness. When Philip, after three years of continuous association with Christ, witnessing his mighty miracles, said, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us," Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father: and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? . . . Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake." (John 14:8-11)
John Perplexed
Although at the baptism of Christ, John had witnessed the visible descent of the Holy Spirit, and had heard the voice from heaven proclaiming him to be the Son of God, and had himself declared that he was "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," events were shaping so differently from his anticipations that he, in his gloomy prison, was troubled and confused.
"Like the Saviour's disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ's kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and the Saviour made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and troubled." [2] "Calling unto him two of his disciples, [he] sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" "In that same hour he [Jesus] cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard." (Luke 7:19-22; Matt. 11:4)
It was with difficulty that the Jews or even the disciples could see clearly many truths which the Saviour uttered, because they were so established in the belief that when the Messiah should come he would break off the Roman yoke, which was to them so galling, and immediately restore the kingdom of David, and reign as a temporal king.
Jesus began his preaching by saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 4:17) When his twelve apostles were sent forth, they bore the same message, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 10:7) Still later in his ministry, when the seventy were sent out, it was with the words, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." (Luke 10:9)
People Amazed at Christ's Work
The wonderful words and teachings of Christ led the people to say, "Never man spake like this man." (John 7:46) And when he healed the blind and dumb man, "All the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?" (Matt. 12:23) or in other words, Is not this the seed of David, the promised Saviour? "When he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" (Matt. 13:54-55)
About the third year of Christ's ministry, when he was in the temple attending the feast of dedication, the Jews came about him, and said unto him, "How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24) In the previous year, when he had wrought the mighty miracle of feeding the five thousand with the "five barley loaves and two small fishes," he "perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, [hence] he departed again into a mountain." (John 6:15)
Christ Teaching the Disciples of His Death
In teaching his disciples, Christ made it an important point to dispel the idea of a temporal reign to begin immediately, and to show them that he must die and rise again, go away and come again. So he inquired of them, "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?" (John 6:62) After charging them "that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ," we read: "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." (Matt. 16:20-22; Mark 9:31)
At the same time he told them there were some standing there who would not die until they had seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matt. 16:28; Luke 9:27) About eight days after, this prophecy was fulfilled; and the apostle Peter refers to that "vision" of Christ coming in his kingdom as proof of the actual second coming of Christ yet in the future. (2 Peter 1:16-19)
At one time when Christ and his disciples were in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men; and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry." (Matt. 17:22-23) And still they failed to understand, to comprehend, his meaning, for even while he was seeking to impress their minds with the solemn truth of his death and resurrection, they were debating the question among themselves as to who should be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:1; Mark 9:33-34)
On another occasion Peter said to Jesus, "We have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 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, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt. 19:27-28; Luke 22:28-30) Still the thought of a kingdom soon to be established was uppermost in their minds, and they, human like, began to look for the highest place in the kingdom.
Then comes the ambitious mother of James and John, sons of Zebedee, asking Christ that her sons be favored with high positions-one on the right hand and the other on the left of his throne; or, perhaps, one to be Premier of the government, and the other Secretary of State. But Christ said plainly, "Ye know not what ye ask." (Matt. 20:20-24)
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Not far from this time a great and startling event occurred. It was the raising of Lazarus from the tomb, he who had been dead four days. Such a mighty miracle so aroused and amazed the people that the Pharisees were alarmed, who, with the priests, at once called a council; and in their deliberations they asked, "What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." (John 11:47-48) While a Satanic power from beneath was thus taking hold of those who were seeking to destroy Christ, a power from on high was moving the masses to glorify him, and fulfil what had been predicted concerning him.
Upon the occasion referred to above, the people turned out en masse, not only to see Jesus, but to see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. Now to them it seemed certain that Jesus was their long-expected king, and as they met him coming toward Jerusalem, seated on a colt, the words of Scripture came forcibly to their minds, "Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy king cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." (John 12:15) A mighty shout of triumph went up from that vast throng, which greatly disturbed the cold-hearted, calculating Pharisees. Among themselves they said, "Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him." (John 12:19) To their request that Christ should stop the shouting, he replied, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40) The Lord had said of this occasion, "Shout," and if the people did not fulfil his word, he would put a voice into the stones of the street, and they would shout; for his word must be fulfilled.
Christ to Go Away and Return Again
Not only did our Saviour seek to direct the minds of the disciples to the fact that he was to die and rise again, but he desired also to teach them that the kingdom was not to come until he should go away and return again. Referring to his crucifixion he said, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth forever; and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?" (John 12:32-34)
To impress the minds of the disciples more fully with the fact that he was to go away, and return again, before his kingdom would be established on earth, he said, "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me; and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. . . . Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards." (John 13:33-36) He then encouraged their anxious and sorrowing hearts with these words: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
Parable of the Nobleman
Again the Saviour sought to correct the erroneous idea that the kingdom was immediately to appear, by the use of the following parable as he and the disciples were going up to Jerusalem: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. . . . And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading." (Luke 19:11-15) In this parable the Lord represents himself by the nobleman. He was to go to a far country-to his Father-and there receive the kingdom, before returning to reign.
In response to the question of the disciples, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matt. 24:3) the Saviour gave them a list of the events that were to transpire down through the great tribulation that should come upon the church, and the definite signs that would occur. When these appeared, they might know that his coming was near, even at the doors, and that the generation that saw them would not pass off the stage of action until he came. (Matt. 24: Luke 21; Mark 13)
Forsaken by All the Disciples
But with all the instruction given the apostles by Christ concerning his death and humiliation, they utterly failed to grasp the truth he had taught them respecting his trial and crucifixion. So faint a conception had they of the truth that when the trial came, their hope died, and they all "forsook him and fled." (Mark 14:50) Even Peter, the ever zealous Peter, who so confidently affirmed that if all men forsook him, he never would, was, a few hours later, denying his Lord, and with an oath declaring that he knew not the man. So dull were they in comprehension of the Lord's statement that on the third day after his crucifixion he would rise from the dead, they questioned and reasoned among themselves "what the rising from the dead should mean." (Mark 9:10) Indeed, so void of faith were they that after he died, and his body had been placed in Joseph's new tomb, they made preparations for embalming him. With hope gone-buried with Christ in the tombwhat a Sabbath day to the disciples! With hearts burdened with grief and disappointment, and no pitying, compassionate Saviour, whose life had been filled with acts of tenderness and mercy, near to comfort and strengthen, how desolate was their condition!
Stirring Events of the Resurrection Morning
The morning of the first day of the week dawns! What a stir in heaven and on earth! A mighty angel comes down from the realms of glory to Joseph's tomb, with a message commanding the Son of God to arise. "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men." (Matt. 28:2-4) "Many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Matt. 27:52-53) Think of such callers as these in Jerusalem, at the doors of their friends, with the message that the crucified Christ was risen from the dead, and that they too had been brought to life by his power, to bear witness concerning his resurrection. What activity among the disciples and the holy women -running hither and thither to tell the glad news, "He is risen from the dead, for we have seen and talked with him!"
Jesus Walks into the Country
"And, behold, two for them went that same day to a little village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs [seven and onehalf miles]. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers have delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher: and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:13-27) As he was about to partake of a meal with them, he brake the bread and gave thanks, "and their eyes were opened, and they knew him. . . . And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:31-32)
Now, at last, the disciples can see, after the problem is fully demonstrated to them, that there was a death and a resurrection connected with the Saviour's mission. But how will they regard the question of his kingdom? "He showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God; and, being assembled together with them, commanded that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Wilt Thou Now Restore the Kingdom?
"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? [as much as to say, We have learned that it was necessary that you must be crucified, and rise from the dead, according to the Scriptures, but are you not going to restore the kingdom now?] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 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 so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:6-11)
Jesus to Remain in Heaven until the Restitution
Now that the Saviour had left them, and they had indeed seen him "ascend up where he was before," they had the assurance that the Holy Spirit would teach them concerning the time when the kingdom will come. So, Peter in his instructions to the people, after the reception of the Spirit, said, "He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:20-21)
To the apostle Peter were given also by the Holy Spirit the facts concerning the three worlds: First, the one before the flood, which was destroyed by water; second, the present world reserved unto fire,-fire with which the earth is stored, as the Revised Version reads,-that fire which shall prove the perdition, ruin, and destruction of ungodly men; third the new earth, "wherein dwelleth righteousness;" or, as some translate, "wherein the righteous shall dwell." (2 Peter 3:5-13)
The apostle Paul set forth the resurrection of God's people, and the change of all his saints from mortal to immortal, "in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." He stated to the Corinthians that Christ is now upon his Father's throne, and will there remain till all his enemies are subjected to him. That is, till he shall have the kingdom-his kingdom-given unto his hands by the Father, as prophesied in Dan. 7:13, 14; Ps. 2:8, 9. To the church in Thessalonica he presented the coming of Christ and the resurrection as their only hope, and as containing the true consolation when their loved ones were separated from them by the hand of death. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
The Master's Return Indefinite
As yet the church had no definite knowledge as to the time when the Master would return. When the apostle in his first letter to the Thessalonians, said, "We which are alive and remain shall be caught up," the brethren understood him to mean that Christ was coming while some of them were still alive. In his second epistle he corrects their wrong conception of his letter, and tells them that "that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped." (2 Thess. 2:3-4)
The Apostasy
And still the church is left to grope its way in the dark as to the time of Christ's second coming. The brethren have learned that there is to be an apostasy; but of how long duration, was the question. An answer was afterward given to John while in vision on the isle of Patmos, in the symbols found in chapters twelve and thirteen of the Revelation -the "time, times, and a half," the "forty and two months," the "twelve hundred and sixty days" (years); but as yet the event marking the opening of that long period had not occurred. So the church was still hoping and waiting for Christ's coming without positively knowing the exact time of his appearing; for when that time of tribulation should be passed, a little season of conflict and triumph would still remain for the "remnant" church. (Rev. 12:17)
With the closing up of the New Testament records we have the theme of Christ's second coming clearly set before us. About one verse out of every thirty mentions in some way the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of this, and the position of the church with reference to that hope through the ages intervening to modern times, Robert Patterson, D.D., speaks in a paper called the Interior, under the caption "The Blessed Hope," on this wise:-
The Temporal Millennium-Patterson
"When our Lord left his church on earth to go to the Father, he left her in a sorrowful condition. His five hundred disciples were surrounded by the whole world of his enemies, organized into anti-Christian religions and governments by one of the highest intelligences, animated by the most venomous malice, and educated by the experience of ages in the most effectual modes of destruction. The Lord was not ignorant of our danger; nor in his last discourses did he extenuate it, nor promise any abatement of the world's enmity and the church's tribulation. But he did promise that he himself would return to overthrow his enemies, and that he would support us till that blessed day. 'The world hateth you. In the world ye shall have tribulation. Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. . . . Ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. If I go away, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.'
"Such was the blessed hope of his personal return with which he comforted his church on his personal departure. During all the period of his absence, he said we must suffer tribulation; and so it has come to pass. If we are to enjoy any period of outward peace during his absence, if his church is to be delivered from the assaults of the world, if there is to be any age of purity when the tare shall not grow among the wheat, or if, at his coming, he shall be welcomed by the population of an earth filled with the glory of the Lord, or indeed even be able to find faith in the earth, it will be to him a most unexpected surprise. Jesus did not know of this millennium. We say he did not know of it, because he did not tell us of it; and he says, 'I have called you friends, for all things which I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.' But in all his discourses and parables there in not the least hint that we are to hope for any period of peace or glory before his coming. The apostles are equally ignorant of a Christless millennium. For three hundred years after our Lord's departure the blessed hope of the church was the hope of his return.
"But when, in the progress of her predicted apostasy, the bride of Christ began to solace herself in his absence with the friendship of the kings of earth, very naturally she averted her eye from the eastern sky, and from the return of her Lord, which would put an end to her worldly grandeur. When the Reformers put the gospel trumpet to their mouths . . . the dreams of a Christless millennium were instantly swept away, . . . and the church again began looking for the coming of the Lord to destroy antichrist. . . . In their letters, sermons, and confessions of faith, the Reformers proclaimed their premillennial hopes.
"The Westminster Assembly conclude their confession with a declaration of their faith in the second coming of the Lord in words which fully express the faith of premillenarians. They proclaim in these weighty words: 'As Christ would have us certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgement, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come: and may ever be prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus: and come quickly!' [3]
"Our reforming ancestors strengthened their hearts by looking for the coming of the Lord, and encouraged each other by the cry, 'Hold the field! for he is coming with legions of help,' a sentiment embodied recently in popular revival hymn, but familiar to the old Scottish Covenanters.
"But ere long a second apostasy from the faith set in among the reformed churches. It was known in Scotland as Moderatism; in England, as Arianism, and more recently, as Broad Churchism; and in America it called itself Unitarianism; and in Germany, Rationalism. Setting up human reason as the judge, and our very limited modern observation as the evidence, and denying that any event could occur but according to the course of observed laws of nature, it reduced Jesus to the rank of a Jewish rabbi, rather in advance of his day, but totally unacquainted with modern science. Of course the notion of such a person returning from the invisible world to reign upon the earth was remanded to the Hebrew mythology.
Daniel Whitby on the Millennium
"The promises of his second coming and reign on earth were interpreted to mean simply the spread of his gospel, and the submission of a great part of the world to Christianity for a period of a thousand, or, as some thought, 360,000 years; during which mankind was to advance in the arts of civilization, and enjoy unexampled peace and prosperity. And at the close of that extended cycle, too vast for the common mind to see across, possibly some great convulsion of nature would occur, and it might be said the Lord would come and destroy the world, and call the human race to judgment. This theory was elaborated and popularized by an English commentator named Whitby [Daniel Whitby died in 1726], who, by his published correspondence, is proved to be an Arian, but whose commentaries were popular with his own class, and whose mythical millennium was received with favor by many of the orthodox pensioners and friends of the state churches of Europe, to whom it promised a long lease of tithes and honors. Through their influence it was imported into America, where it was immediately utilized as material for platform platitudes and perorations."
Such were the theories in various portions of the earth as we approach the time when the Lord sent forth the solemn warning of his coming, even "at the doors."
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