The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-16
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
Rev. Mr.. Bartlett Sets Forth the Belief
Held by Second Adventists.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In the report Of my sermon Sunday night,
published in your Monday ISSUE the re-
porter stated that Seventh Day Advent
lists did not believe that the definite time
OF the second coming of Christ was known.
and that therefore they set no time for
that event, believing that the second adj
vent was soon to be, though it might not
be for years or even for a century" The
reporter was right, except the sentence,
1T might not be for years even for
century" Seventh Day Adventists believe
that 1t is sheer folly and absolutely I'M
scriptural to set a definite time for the
coming OF Jesus, for, 'of that day and
hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels
of heaven. but my Father only" But that
the second advent may not occur for
years or even for a century" is not the be-
lief OF Seventh Day Adventists. The full
fillment OF many signs pointing to the
second coming Of Jesus show Enthusiastically
that 'it is near, even at the door," and
so near is it that Jesus adds. Verify
say unto you, this generation Cthe present
generation which have seen the signs or
the second adventists fulhlled) shall not
pass till all these things be fulfilled" Matt.
xiv, 34). The generation here referred to
must have begun shortly after a. d., 1888,
for In that year occurred that most re-
shall fan from heaven Matt xiv, 2s),
which was the last OF series or signs or
which Jesus said, so likewise when ye
shall see all these things, know that 1t
is near, even at the door" And then adds,
This generation beginning soon after
1STs shall not pass 5i al these rnthgS Pe
be "a single succession in natural descent,
as the children of the same parents; hence,
an age Thus we say the third. the fourth 1a1
Therefore we conclude that of those who
witnessed the falling Of the stars in 1888,
and who were old enough to comprehend
the nature of the event, some will be liv
ing on earth when Jesus comes. Those
who are seventy years old, now living, are
OF that generation which shall not pass
mot all die till Jesus comes. 1t goes with
out saying that the second advent cannot
be so far In the future as TO be expressed
by years or even for century. Seventh
Day Adventists have ample evidence from
the Holy Scriptures that this generation
shall experience or drink of the wine of
the wrath of God. which is poured out
without mixture (mercy into the cup of
his Indignation" because men viii worship
mark. This false worship is defined as OPP
posed to the worship of those of whom it
Is said. Here is the patience OF the
saints; here are they that keep the COM
mandments of God and the faith of Jesus"
Grew: xiv, ~. The Sunday institution
which is a child of the papaey will be en-
| of the beast (papacy) and his image
| Protestantism), and this worship will make
void = the the law Of God and the fourth com com
| member the Sabbath day to keep 1t holy
| the seventh day Saturday is the Sabbath
| of the Lord thy God" Therefore as the
| world rejects the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus, God rejects the
world, and the wrath of God as expressed
| in the seven last plaques Of Revelation,
| chapter 10, is experience ID by all except
| those who have shelter in Christ by keep
ing the commandments OF God and the
faith of Jesus"
| ARTHUR w. BARTLETT
| Pastor Seventh Day Adventist Church.
| Indianapolis, Jan. l5