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sion-that death is not the coming of our Lord-from one who labors so hard to support post-millennialism. Again, the substitution of death for the coming of the Lord practically degrades the grand doctrine of the resurrection, from its lofty prominence in Scripture, to almost an unnecessary appendage.

But we believe in the preaching of Jesus and the resurrection,16 and we look forward with joyous anticipation to the resurrection from the dead, as the time when Jesus shall give us the victory over death.17

Oh! that Christians might realize "the grace that is to be brought unto" us (not at death but) "at the revelation of Jesus Christ."18

Nowhere in the Savior's teachings are we commanded to watch or prepare for death. But we are commanded to

watch and prepare for Christ's coming.

Therefore, let us not be deceived by the thought that our great enemy, Death, is the precious coming of Jesus. So, beloved, we conclude that this glorious doctrine does concern you.

Search the Scriptures.

Perhaps, you say: "I don't know much about it, and I can't understand it." But do you want to understand it? If so, God's word is open to you. The Holy Spirit will teach you.19 He will show you things to come,20 and these

(16) Acts 4:2. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 17:18. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

(17) 1 Cor. 15:54. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the say

ing that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?

(18) 1 Pet. 1:13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(19) John 14:26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (20) John 16:13. Howbeit

pages are written with the earnest desire to aid you in the study of this truth.

Will you study it? Will you search for yourself, as did the noble Bereans ?21 not merely to read through this little book, but to use it simply as an index, and go to the Word, search out the passages herein referred to, read them and pray over them, until the Holy Spirit guides you into the truth? If so, we believe that you will see the light, and find comfort to your soul.

Said a Christian, who had long opposed the truth of the pre-millennial coming of Christ: "I have spent the happiest night of my life, for last evening I saw the truth concerning the second coming." It filled him with joy, and he is one who has been greatly used in leading souls to Christ. May God bless and thus use you, dear reader.

when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come.

(21) Acts 17:10. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto

Berea who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

CHAPTER IV.

The Three Appearings.

The grandest fact in history is that Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, has been in this world.

And the most important fact of the present is that He is now in Heaven making intercession for us.1

And the greatest prophesied event of the future is, that He is coming again.

These three appearings are beautifully set forth in the 9th of Hebrews.2

His appearing upon earth "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Verse 26.

His entering "into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." Verse 24.

"And unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time, without sin unto salvation." Verse 28.

While He was here upon earth He said: "It is expedient for you that I go away." and He went away. He said, "I go to prepare a place for you." But

(1) Heb. 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Rom. 8:34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1 John 2:1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

(2) Heb. 9:24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

(3) John 16:7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

(4) Acts 1:9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

He Promised,

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3. He gave us this promise as our hope and comfort while He is away.

He said: "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33), "ye shall weep and lament, and...be sorrowful....but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice." Verses 20, 22.

Nothing can be more comforting to the Church, the bride of Christ,5 then this precious promise which our absent Lord has left us, that He will come and receive us unto Himself, and that we shall be with Him, to behold His glory.

He has given us

The Lord's Supper,

that we should take the bread and the cup in remembrance of Him, and to show His death, till He come.

7

We have this simple and loving memorial for a continual sign of this promise during all the earthly pilgrimage of the

(5) Eph. 5:25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29. For no man ever yet hated his Own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

(6) John 17:24. Father, I wil that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

(7) Luke 22:19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(8) 1 Cor. 11:26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Church, and through it we look forward from the cross to His coming, when He will drink it anew with us, in His Father's kingdom,10 at the marriage feast of the Lamb.11

It is a constant reminder of His promise, pointing our eye of faith to His coming again. "He is faithful that promised"12 and we are exhorted to have confidence and patience, that we may "receive the promise," "for yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry." Heb. 10:35-37.

One has truly said that the coming of Christ is

The Very Pole Star of the Church,*

9913

and the apostle Paul calls it "That blessed hope.":

Jesus and the apostles and the prophets have given great prominence in the Scriptures to this inspiring theme. THE EARLY FATHERS and the Christian Church, for the first two centuries of our era, found in it

*Rev. David Brown, D. D.

(9) Heb. 11:13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1 Pet. 2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

(10) Mat. 26:29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

(11) Mat. 22:2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.

Rev. 19:9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

And

he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Also Luke 14:16-24.

(12) Heb. 10:22. Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water,

23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;

25. Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

(13) Tit. 2:13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

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