The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-05-20

4. ~. mistaken or were
they baslng their
expectation upon
the Scrlptures7
II Is FOR Us TO de-
termine, and II
the Scriptures
teach the second
- ~ 4 coming of Christ
III then the attitude
L.--.Z 4A---L-j Of the Christians
Of Thcssalonica should be The attitude
Of Christians today.
A careful study ~ the Scriptures
win convince one that the truth Of
the second coming holds very large
place. Those who have counted tell
us that the second coming is mem
toned BIS times in the POO chapters
Of the New Testament The late Or,
james n. Brookes OF st. Louis says
that one verse In twenty-five refers o.
this fact. Any one familiar with the
Old Testament prophecies knows that
vastly more Is said Ia them about the
second coming Of Christ than there r.
about his first advent This Is one
reason why Israel failed to recognize
her Messiah. Israel. taken up with
these prophecies which tell Of his
glory, failed 10 give consideration 20
the prophecies which foretold his
humiliation, suffering and death. No
wonder that when he came they
failed Ia recognize in him the one
about whom the prophets had written
such glorious things
Christ himself many times predicted
his return. and always In the clearest
of terms. In John Il: 3 he says: "lf
go and prepare a place for you | will
come again and receive you unto my
self: that where | am there ye may
be also" Again. For the Son of
man shall come in the glory Of his
Father" (Matt. 10 ;29).
The references by Christ 10 his sec
ond coming are 50 numerous that We
can refer 10 only one more Of his
words concerning John spoken after
his resurrection. In answer TO Peter:
'1f he (John) tarry till | come what
Is that to thee?" Gohn n :22). Here
we have distinct reference by Christ
20 his second coming. and following IL
the saying that went forth concerning
John. that he should not die. But the
writer adds: Jesus said not unto
him he shall not die but II will that
he tarry Till | come. what Is that TO
theeY" Now this should make IL clear
that the death OF the believer Is not
the second coming Of Christ. Death
Is spoken OF In the Scriptures as an
enemy. while the second coming Is
called the blessed hope. II any passage
about the second coming Of Christ Is
taken and the word death substituted
for Christ, or the term used TO refer
10 him or his coming II will be at
once seen how ridiculous II is to in
terpret the second coming Of Christ
as the death Of the believer.
We should also note that Christ al
ways distinguished between the Holy
Spirit and himself, so that by no
means can the coming OF the Holy
Spirit on the day Of Pentecost or TO
the believer be interpreted as the re-
turn OF our Lord from heaven.
Neither can the destruction OF
Jerusalem by Titus be considered as
the Lords return, for the Lord said
20 John. on the Island Of Patmos
about thirty years after that event:
"Surely come quickly" to which the
N
"Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus"
(Rev. % :20).
Many, when they hear Of the Lords
return. think that thereby Is meant
the end Of the world. but that Is not
the case as will be evident. n the
events that are TO follow his return
are studied. IL win save from con-
fusion as this IL done, II II Is under
stood that Scripture clearly re
veals what we may call two stages In
our Lords coming: First. his coming
I'm the air and gathering To himself
there his redeemed q Thess. 4:l6-
10: and then his coming with his
people 10 the earth TO set up thereon
his kingdom (NIatt. % :Sl-32) Great
natural and governmental changes will
then take place ON the earth Its
golden age viii have dawned, the
desert shall blossom as rose, no
man shall say. Know ye the Lordl
for all shall know him, and peace on
earth shall prevail, for he whose
right Il Is TO rule shall reign,
crowned King OF Kings and Lord OF
all.
The second coming OF Christ then is
not something 10 be dreaded as some
would have us believe, but TO be ex-
pectantly looked ana longed for. II
should be the hope Of the church and
find It's place In our life and practice.
II does not. II properly held, make
one a crank, but an earnest Chris
tian; not star gazer. but a servant
who is always about his Masters
business and always ready, though he
know not the hour his Lord shall re-
turn.