“BEHOLD I come quickly,” was the last promise, “Even so come, Lord
Jesus,” the last prayer, in Scripture. The glorious prospect of this
quick return was the constant joy of the Apostles and early disciples of
our Lord. Nor can any thing be more marked than the contrast between our
thoughts and theirs, in reference to this important subject. They were
for ever anticipating the time, and falling into error through their
eager haste for the coming kingdom; we are too prone to stave off the
thought of it, as a thing distant and uncertain. They could not rest
without an eager inquiry as to the times and seasons of his approach; we,
on the other hand, are tempted to sit still in listless apathy, with the
eye blinded to the facts of history, with the ear deaf to the voice of
prophecy, and so regardless of the knowledge really given us by God.
They lived at the outset of the church’s pilgrimage, with a distance of
at least 1,800 years between them and their joyous hope; and yet they
most eagerly inquired, “When shall these things be?” We live on the very
verge of its conclusion, with the great climax full in view; yet we go on
as if the world were to last for ever, steeped in apathy the most
profound, with reference alike to the event itself and to its times.
This indifference has arisen, in some measure, from a certain vague
expectation of some undefined changes that are expected to precede the
advent. There is a general idea afloat that there will be some notice of
the glorious day; and even thinking persons look for the universal
conversion of the world before the present dispensation can be brought to
a close. In other cases, the mind instinctively shelters itself behind
the sameness and uniformity in the order of society. No man doubts that,
at the time appointed, the sun will rise to-morrow, for the simple reason
that, day after day, it has risen hitherto with exact and unvarying
punctuality. On the same principle, the continuance of the world’s order
deadens the expectation of a change. Society remains unaltered in its
leading features: pleasure, trade, and politics, retain their hold on the
public mind. The father’s interests engross the son; and the natural
inference is, that things will continue to move on as heretofore, and
that there is little either to be hoped or dreaded in the prophetic
promise of the Lord’s return.
Believers therefore should study well those portions of prophecy which
describe the state of the world preparatory to our Lord’s return. All
witnesses for Christ should be acquainted with the forerunners of his
coming. Those who watch for him should know the signs of his appearing.
In studying these signs there are three great classes which naturally
come under review, the world, the visible church, and the chosen saints
of God. Into each of these, if the Lord permit, we will examine
separately. And may He, who alone “teacheth us to profit,” so pour forth
his Spirit, both on the writer and the reader, that all may be “led into
the love of God, and the patient waiting for Christ!”