River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-12-12


There is much confusion as to what
is meant by the Second Coming Oh
Christ, and yet the scriptures clearly
teach that he is coming again IN
personal and visible sense. What 9TH
er Interpretation can be given to the
words of the angels spoken TO tne
waiting disciples on Mt. Olivet just
after the ascension of our Lord? re
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 We have seen him go into heaven.
(Acts 1:11.)
All the orthodox creeds OF the
church have taught this, although
there is a difference of opinion among
good Christians as to the time when
he shall come.
For example, the scriptures speak
of a thousand years when peace and
righteousness shall prevail over the
earth, known mostly as the millenni-
UNI; and there are those who think
that the Lord will not come until
after that period, while others be-
lieve that he will come before 1t,
This latter is my judgment, for 1
cannot see how there can be mil
lennium until ne comes to introduce
and make it a possibility
This Judgment is based upon the
teaching of both the Old and New
Testaments, but specifically upon our
Lords command 20 Watch" because
we know not tho day nor the hour
when he shall return.
A friend of mine used to spend his
summers in New Hampshire, and one
! day he said to his little children that
| business called him to Boston They
were very much disappointed to nave
| him go. and he cheered them up by
! saving that he would return again, and
| that they should watch for him. AS
/ consequence, his train had hardy
| drawn out of the station when they
ran to their mother and asked her to
wash their hands and faces. and comb
their hair. that they might run down
| again and wait for the incoming train
on which they expected him to return.
This they did continually at train time
from day to day, until he did return;
SO that afterwards their mother SAID
she had never known them to show
such an interest In soap and water In
their lives 1t is for a result not I'M
like this that our Lord would keep
us in the spirit of expectancy. for as
the apostle John says, Every man
that hath this hope in him puritieth
himself, even as he Is pure" list
| John 3:30
Sometimes it is asked what Is the
practical value OF preaching on the
Second Coming of Christ? We have
already stated one answer to that
question in the effect Of the hope on
the personal character of the believer,
but in addition to that it can be said
that there is not single Christian
grace or virtue named in the New
Testament with which that hope Is
not connected. Three hundred times
is it mentioned there, thus showing
MS its Importance in the Christian
scheme, and the need of giving it its
nghtful place in all our Christian
thinking and doing.
Andrew Bonar's Crown.
That dear old Scottish ST int, An
drew Bonar once visited this country,
and when he was returning they gave
him a farewell meeting in New York.
Several eulogistic speeches were
made. and one speaker in closing said.
brethren. think of the crown OF
righteousness which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, shall give him at
| that day." And when he sat down,
DR.. Bonar arose. and walking to the
| front of the pulpit, concluded that quo
tation from Paul's second letter to
| Timothy adding, And not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his
anpearing." There are at least three
! crowns that are promised that faith
ful believer In the life to come, but
This crown belongs alone to them who
love our Lords appearance. Are we
counted in that blessed number?
.no +aou my soul keep watch. bewara
lest thou in sleep sink down.
yea+ thou be given DER to death. and lose
the golden crown.
And vet how shall we watch ex-
eant nv living life daily in the win
80 God But how do men know the
win Of God except as they learn of 1t
In the Bible where it has been re-
vea,ed? Nor Is the simple reading of
the Bible enough, unless the Holy
Cr,rit shall interpret it to our under
standings, and apply it to our hearts
This he does in answer to our suppl
|. cations, hence ! exhort you to life
of zeal piety
| ca.a4 IF The Quiet Hart