Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1912 — The Second Coining of Christ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Second Coining of Christ

By REV. JAMES M.

GRAY. D. D,

Dcta of the Moody Bifefa UMtituta, Onego

TEXT—"Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." —lot

These words of Paul to the Corinthians expressed the attitude of that clmrch, and they slrohfcSL express the attitude of the whole church of Jesus Christ everywhere and always. By the church we mean regenerated men and women, true believers on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. What Does It 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 other 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? “Ye 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 ye have seen him go into heaven.** (Acts 1:11.) v 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 millennium; and there are those who think that the Lord will not come until after that period, while others believe that he will come before It. This latter is my judgment, for I cannot see how there can be a millennium until he 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 Lord's command to “Watch,” because we know not the day nor the hour when he shall return. A friend of mine used to spend his in New Hampshire, and one day he said to his little children that business called him to Boston. They were 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 a consequence, his train had hardly 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. It is for a result not unlike 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 purifleth himself, even as he is pure.** (Ist John 3:3.) 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 a 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 us its importance in the Christian scheme, and the need of giving it its rightful place in all our Christian thinking and doing. Andrew Boner's Crown. That dear old Scottish saint, Andrew 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. Elmar 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 appearing.” There are at least three crowns that are promised that faithful believer in the life to come, but this crown belongs alone to them who love our Lord’s appearance. Are we counted in that blessed number? "Do thou my soul -keep watch, beware lest thou In sleep sink down. Lest thou be given o’er to death, and loee the golden crown." And yet how shall we watch except by living a life daily in the will of God. But how do men know the will of God except as they learn of it in the Bible where it has been revealed? Nor is the simple reading of the Bible enough, unless the Holy Spirit shall interpret it to our understandings, and apply it to our hearts. This he does in answer to our supplications, hence L exhort you to a UfW of real piety.