Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-12-21

What Does 1t
- - Mean?
There is much confusion as to what
is meant by the Second Coming of
Christ, and yet the scriptures clearly
teach that he is coming again in a
personal and visible sense. What 9TH
er- Interpretation can be given to the
words of the angels spoken to the
waiting disciples on Mt Olivet Just
after the ascension of our Lord? fe
men of Galilee. why stand We 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
t(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-
um; and there are those who think
that the Lord will not come until
after that period, while others be-
lIieve that he will come before 1t.
cannot see how there can be a mil
1ennium until he comes to introduce
and make it a possibility.
This judgment is based upon the
Iteaching of both the Old and New
tTestaments, but specifically upon our
Lords command to Watch" because
I'VE know not the day nor the hour
when he shall return
A friend of mine used to spend his
Summers in New Hampshire, and one
lday he said to his little children that
business called him to Boston. They
iwere very much disappointed to have
him go, and he cheered them up by
Saying that he would return again, and
that they should watch for him. AS
la consequence, his train had hardly
tdrawn 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
iagain and wait for the incoming train
ION 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
ishe had never known them to show
Isuch an interest in soap and water in
their lives 1t is for a result not IN
JUS in the spirit of expectancy, for as
1.-THE apostle John says, Every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth
himself, even as he is pure" 1st
John 3:30
Sometimes 1t is asked what is the
practical value of preaching on the
Second Coming of Christ? We have
lalready stated one answer to that
Question in the effect of the hope on
1.-THE personal character of the believer,
but in addition to that 1t can be said
that there is not single Christian
lgrace or virtue named in the New
Testament with which that hope is
mot connected Three hundred times
IFS it mentioned there, thus showing
lus its Importance in the Christian
ischeme. and the need of giving 1t it's
lrightful place in all our Christian
thinking and doing.
I Andrew Bonar's Crown.
That dear old Scottish saint, An
idrew 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, snail give him at
that day" And when he sat down.
DIR. Bonar arose. and walking to the
front of the pulpit. concluded that quo
tation from Paui's second letter to
Timothy adding. And not to me only.
but unto all them also that love his
appearing" There are at least three
crowns that are promised that faith
full believer in the life to come. but
this crown belongs alone to them who
love our Lords appearance Are we
counted in that blessed humber?
lest thou In sleep sink down.
Lest thou be given DER to death. and lose
the golden crown
And vet how shall we watch ex-
cept by living life daily In the will
OF God But how do men know the
win of God except as they learn of IL
in the Bible where it has been re-
veaIed? Nor is the simple reading of
rshe Bible enough, unless the Holy
spirit shall interpret it to our under
and apply 1t to our hearts
This he does In answer to ogr suppli-
cations, hence i exhort you 20 a ufs
OF real piety-