The Harp of God Part 28

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER IX

String 8: _Our Lord's Return_

Suppose your dearest friend and benefactor is away on a long journey and you expect him to return, because when he went away he promised to come again; suppose that since that time you have been looking, hoping and praying for his return, and that you were informed he had arrived. Such news would fill your very soul with joy and you could not keep from singing.

[348]A friend is one who loves you all the time; one who even without your knowing it makes a great sacrifice in order that you might be the recipient of some real good. The greatest friend that you have had, or any one else has had, is the Lord Jesus, because he left all of his riches and glory, became a man, and laid down his life in ignominious death in order that all men might have one fair and full opportunity for the blessings of life everlasting.--John 15:13.

[349]The facts show that nineteen hundred years ago, Jesus went away on a long journey, even into heaven itself; that when he went away he promised his disciples that he would return and that, when returning, those who loved his appearing would receive many precious gifts. If the facts show that this precious friend has returned and we begin to see that all the fond hopes of Christians are about to be realized and that even the world is soon to be blessed, what unspeakable joy this brings!

Those who have watched and waited for his coming necessarily break forth in singing the praises of the Lord. In this chapter we hope to prove the fact of the Lord's return, how he will return, when, and for what purpose, and that he has already come.

[350]For centuries Jews have been hoping, looking, and praying for the coming of a Messiah. For nineteen hundred years Christians have been hoping, watching, and praying, and waiting for the coming of Christ Jesus the Lord. Messiah and Christ mean the same. The term means The Anointed One. The whole world of mankind, groping in darkness, laden with grievous burdens, has been groaning and still groans in pain, waiting for some relief, but not knowing how it will come. (Romans 8:19,22) The world in fact is waiting for the Messiah, the Christ, and his kingdom of righteousness. When the world comes to a knowledge of the fact that the Lord, the great deliverer and benefactor of man, has returned, every honest soul will be filled with joy and every grateful heart will respond in songs of gladness.

[351]To the Christian the Lord's return is one of the most wonderfully precious strings upon the harp of G.o.d. It yields music of unsurpa.s.sed sweetness. Blessed are the eyes of those who see and ears of those who hear and learn that the Lord has come and is now present.

[352]The suffering and groaning of the whole creation daily increases, and this condition is putting the people in an att.i.tude of mind to take heed to the evidence of the meaning of these present events. The time has come for all to awaken and diligently inquire concerning the presence of the King of kings.

FACT OF HIS COMING

[353]The reasons why we should expect the Lord's second coming are numerous, but unless we call these to mind, even though we once knew them, we overlook their importance. If we have never known them, then an examination of these reasons is satisfying to the hungry soul. Reason should always be employed in the examination of Scriptural questions.

Sound reasoning and the Scriptures are necessarily in accord. "Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 1:18) As our vision of the divine plan enlarges, we can see a reason and a Scripture for every step and every development in the divine arrangement.

[354]The Scriptures thus far examined prove conclusively that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead that he might be the redeemer of mankind; that he ascended on high and presented the value of his human sacrifice in behalf of man, and that at some time all men must have an opportunity to receive the benefit of his great sacrifice. (1 Timothy 2:5,6) If mankind in general is to be benefited by the Lord's sacrifice after coming to a knowledge of that fact, then it follows that there must be some relations.h.i.+p established between the world of mankind and the Lord Jesus in order that the world might be brought to a knowledge of the arrangement of Jehovah and brought back into harmony with G.o.d.

If, as the Scriptures declare, G.o.d formed the earth for man's habitation, that he made it not in vain, and that the earth abideth forever; and if, according to the promise to Abraham, through the seed, the Christ, a blessing shall come to all mankind, it follows that the Lord must establish an order of things in the earth that man might enjoy the things which G.o.d intended for him to have, and that he must be present to establish such a righteous order on earth.

[355]But the student is not left to theory nor conjecture. The Scriptural evidence is given in such abundance that all doubt is forever removed. G.o.d's Prophet long ago foretold the coming of a mighty one and said that this Mighty One should have a government of righteousness; that "his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty G.o.d, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace; of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end". (Isaiah 9:6,7) An 'everlasting Father' presumes that there shall be some offspring who will have everlasting life. Hence this promise indicated that a government would be established wherein man would be granted the privilege of life everlasting.

[356]As we have heretofore observed, Jehovah made a covenant with the nation of Israel, to the exclusion of all other nations. He gave them a law to s.h.i.+eld them from the influences and machinations of the adversary and to lead them to Christ, their great Messiah. The Jews as a nation did not keep this law, because they were imperfect; but some of their rulers were especially wicked. The time came when G.o.d said concerning Zedekiah, the last king of Israel: "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord G.o.d: Remove the diadem, and take off the crown; this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him,"--Ezekiel 21:25-27.

[357]It follows that at some future time there would come a mighty one who would establish a kingdom of righteousness, having full authority and right thus to do.

[358]At the overthrow of Zedekiah G.o.d permitted the gentiles to establish a universal dominion in the earth. The Lord through the prophet Daniel pictured the development of four world empires or kingdoms, which would exist for a certain period of time, and which would continue until he should come whose right it is and then he, the Righteous One, should take possession of earth's affairs and rule. It is to be expected, of course, that the unrighteous governments would hold on to their power in earth as long as possible, and that they would still be thus doing at the coming of the great King, and that he would oust these earthly kingdoms of unrighteousness and establish a righteous government. Thus says the Lord through the prophet Daniel: "In the days of these kings shall the G.o.d 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". (Daniel 2:44) It follows, then, that this righteous King must be present before he breaks to pieces and consumes the other kingdoms. The Scriptures speak of the righteous kingdom as the kingdom of heaven, because it is in accord with the heavenly Father's will and ruled by the invisible power of the great Messiah.

[359]The term kingdom is used in a two-fold sense: (1) referring to the king or ruler, the dominating or controlling factor; and (2) to the dominion and subjects of that kingdom. Almost all the parables of Jesus were concerning the kingdom of G.o.d, or kingdom of heaven. So great is that kingdom in importance in the Lord's arrangement that Jesus taught his disciples to pray: "Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven". (Matthew 6:10) From that time until now Christians have been praying this prayer and hoping for its fulfillment.

The foregoing Scriptures definitely establish the fact that such a kingdom of righteousness is to be put into operation. Who, then, will be the king of that great and glorious kingdom? The Scriptures answer, Jesus Christ the Son of G.o.d.--Luke 22:30; Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 1:11; Matthew 28:18.

[360]When Jesus stood before Pilate accused of sedition because he taught concerning his kingdom coming, Pilate asked him: "Art thou the King of the Jews?" And Jesus answered: "My kingdom is not of this world". (John 18:33,36) By the word world here is meant a social and political order. The Scriptures show that from the time of Zedekiah's overthrow until he whose right it is sets up his kingdom, the gentiles are in power and that these lie in the wicked one, Satan, who is the G.o.d or invisible ruler of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4) Jesus speaks of him as the prince of this world. (John 12:31) Satan's rule has been unrighteous, wicked, and devilish; and when he comes whose right it is, he will establish a righteous kingdom in the place or stead of the unrighteous order of Satan. By these words, then, addressed to Pilate we would understand the Master to mean that his kingdom from that time is future, yet definitely showing that in the future time he would have a kingdom.

[361]Jesus gave to his disciples a parable designated the parable of the pounds, in which he pictured himself as a certain n.o.bleman going into a far country to receive a kingdom and to return; and he shows that this n.o.bleman does return. "He said therefore, A certain n.o.bleman 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 pa.s.s, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given money." (Luke 19:12-15) A similar picture and lesson is taught by the parable of the talents.

(Matthew 25:14) As further evidence of his return, Jesus said: "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; and before him shall be gathered all nations."--Matthew 25:31,32.

[362]Just a short time before his crucifixion he was teaching his disciples. They understood, though imperfectly, that he was to be taken from them. His disciples were troubled at this information. Then Jesus, speaking plainly to them, said: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in G.o.d, 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) This is indisputable proof of his second coming.

[363]After his resurrection he had stated that he would ascend unto G.o.d the Father in heaven. (John 20:17) Forty days after his resurrection he was with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, instructing them to go to Jerusalem and there wait until they should receive the power of the holy spirit, that they might thereafter be witnesses for him. "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 stedfastly 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 1:9-11) Without a doubt these men who here stood by the disciples in white apparel were angels or messengers sent of the Lord thus to witness to them, which angels doubtless materialized in human form for that very purpose and afterward dematerialized and disappeared. This additional testimony was given, however, that the faith of the disciples might be complete that the Lord would come again.

[364]This fact was so definitely established in the minds of the apostles that they often spoke and wrote of the second coming of the Lord. In fact, it is the great event to which they and all other true followers of the Master have looked forward. (1 Corinthians 1:7; 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; James 5:7,8; 2 Peter 1:16; Acts 3:19-21; Philippians 3:20) Of his coming again and the blessings his presence will bring to those that love him further testimony was given by the apostle Paul when he wrote to Timothy: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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."--2 Timothy 4:6-8.

[365]The book of Revelation in our Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ which he gave after his glorification. He concludes this revelation by stating to St. John: "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly"; to which St. John replies, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus".--Revelation 22:20.

[366]That the Lord is to have a kingdom of righteousness, that Jesus Christ is to be the great King of that kingdom, and that he is coming a second time for the purpose of thus reigning, is so abundantly established by the Scriptures that all possible doubt is removed. An important question, therefore, for us to determine is

HOW HE COMES

[367]We must make up our minds at once that the Bible testimony concerning the manner of our Lord's coming is to be taken as conclusive.

A careful examination of this will disclose the fact that the Bible does establish definitely and reasonably the manner of his appearing. Many have supposed and yet suppose that the Lord will come again in his body of humiliation, the very body in which he was crucified and which has the marks upon it, and that such is to be visible to human eyes. The words of Jesus disprove this conclusion. When instructing his disciples just before his crucifixion, Jesus said: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also". (John 14:19) Thus he establishes the fact that his faithful disciples will see him as he is, but that the world will see him no more. And why is this true? We answer, Because Jesus was raised from the dead not a human but a spirit being, with divine nature or organism. The nature is determined by the organism or body. He now has a glorious body, which no man hath seen nor can look upon and live. (1 Timothy 6:15,16) We have heretofore examined the Scriptural evidence showing that no one of the different organisms or bodies in which Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection was his glorious body, but that such bodies were created by him for the purpose at the time.

[368]He was put to death a human being. He was raised from the dead a spirit. (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:45) St. John definitely shows that the body in which Jesus will appear is not his human body because he says: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but ... we shall be like him". (1 John 3:2) Jesus is no longer human, but divine; therefore we could not expect human eyes to see him. He is now the express image of Jehovah. (Hebrews 1:3) Because he is no longer human and has not a body of flesh, but a spirit body, the apostle Paul under inspiration wrote: "Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more".--2 Corinthians 5:16.

[369]After his resurrection Jesus was exalted and given a name above every name (Philippians 2:9) and sat down at the right hand of the Father in glory and in power. (Revelation 3:21) Of him the apostle Paul writes: "Now the Lord is that spirit". (2 Corinthians 3:17) Jesus explained to Nicodemus concerning a spirit, saying, "Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G.o.d. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.... The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the spirit."--John 3:4-8.

[370]Seeing, then, that Jesus Christ is a glorious spirit being with a divine organism, and that as the wind cannot be seen, but comes and goes, so a spirit can thus come and go without being discerned by human eyes, could not our Lord be present and yet not observable by any natural eyes? That is exactly according to the facts. Satan is a spirit being. For many centuries Satan has been the G.o.d or invisible ruler of the present evil world (2 Corinthians 4:3,4); yet no human eyes have seen Satan, although men have felt his influence and still feel it.

Satan is not only the G.o.d of this world, but he is the chief one of his wicked, invisible heaven; that is to say, the invisible ruling order of things composed of Satan and the other fallen angels who exercise power over human beings. The apostle Peter said: "We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness". (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5) The coming kingdom of the Lord is the new heavenly kingdom. This new ruling power, the Messiah, is invisible, and will be invisible to human eyes, but will establish in the earth visible agencies and representatives, namely, a new social and political order of things. We should not, therefore, expect the Lord's second coming to be in a body visible to human eyes, but should expect that he would be present, exercising his power in his own sovereign way.

[371]In many places in our Bible referring to the second coming of the Lord the word translated into the English as "coming" is properly translated _presence_. The proper meaning is distinguished by the Greek word used, from which the English is translated. The Greek word _parousia_ (p.r.o.nounced par-oo-see-ah) means presence, and refers to the invisible presence of the Lord and is used in the following Scriptural texts. We here quote the texts as they appear in the King James Version, putting in brackets the proper word immediately following the word "coming".

[372]"What shall be the sign of thy coming [presence]?"--Matthew 24:3.

[373]"As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming [presence] of the Son of man be."--Matthew 24:37,39.

[374]"They that are Christ's at his coming [presence]."--1 Corinthians 15:23.

[375]"Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming [presence]?"--1 Thessalonians 2:19.

[376]"To the end that he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before G.o.d, even our Father, at the coming [presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ."--1 Thessalonians 3:13.

[377]"We which are alive and remain unto the coming [presence] of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep."--1 Thessalonians 4:15.

[378]"I pray G.o.d your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming [presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ."

--1 Thessalonians 5:23.

[379]"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming [presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ."--2 Thessalonians 2:1.

[380]"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming [presence] of the Lord."--James 5:7.

[381]"For the coming [presence] of the Lord draweth nigh."--James 5:8.

[382]"Where is the promise of his coming [presence]?"--2 Peter 3:4.

[383]When Jesus was taken up into heaven, the angels standing by the disciples said to them: "He shall come in like manner". The manner of his going or being taken away was quiet, without observation, except by a few. In a similar manner we should expect his return. Those watching for his coming necessarily would be the first to observe his presence.

This is in exact harmony with the thought expressed by the apostle Paul when he wrote: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night", (1 Thessalonians 5:2) The same thought the apostle Peter expressed: "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night". (2 Peter 3:10) And of His coming Jesus said: "Behold, I come as a thief", "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (Revelation 16:15; 3:3; Matthew 24:43) A thief comes usually in the night time when all are asleep, and none see him except those who are watching or those who may be awakened by his presence. Even so the Lord comes in the night time of the close of the gospel age, just before the dawn of the new day; and none discern his presence except those who watch and who have the eye of faith.