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Kingdom. Let us not be disturbed, then, by the questions which they ask; such as

How will men be saved during the Millennium?

What will be the means of grace?

What may take the place of the preaching of the gospel? and of the sacraments of the Church?

The Jews could not have answered similar questions before the first coming of Christ. It was not revealed until He came.

Jesus is coming AGAIN, and it is just as consistent that we shall receive an addition to the revealed Word of God when He comes, as it was when He came before.

He will speak again, who spake as never man spake,3 even the dead will hear His voice, and the gracious words which shall proceed out of His mouth will be a continual revelation.R

It will all be plain when Jesus comes, for we shall be like Him and see Him as He is,' eye to eye, face to face." Post-millennialists seem to think that all must be accomplished under the Church, and with present instrumentalities.

Pre-millennialists look for the main accomplishment under Christ Himself, who will cut short the work in righteousness,10 and with different instrumentalities.11

(3) John 7:46. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

(4) John 5:28. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

(5) Luke 4:22. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

(6) Mat. 11:27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (7) 1 John 3:2. Beloved,

now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

(8) Isa. 52:8. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

(9) 1 Cor. 13:12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also

(10) Rom. 9:28. finish the work, and in righteousness:

am known. For he will cut it short because

Post-millennialism exalts the Church.

Pre-millennialism exalts Jesus and fills the heart of the believer with a LIVING, PERSONAL, COMING Savior.

Post-millennialists, though ACKNOWLEDGING that the Second Advent of Christ is the very POLE STAR of the Church, have little heart in it, and are disposed to say very little about it. This is natural and perfectly consistent for those who believe the event is at least a thousand years away.

They very seldom preach or talk about it.

Preach the Word.

What a contrast to Paul, who charged Timothy to PREACH THE WORD (2 Tim. 4:2);* and when writing to Titus, of the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus, he said: "THESE THINGS SPEAK." Ch. 2:15.

And again, when writing to the Thessalonians of the descent of the Lord and the rapture of the church, he said: "WHEREFORE COMFORT (or exhort) ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.' ." Ch. 4:18; see also 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 10:25; 2 Pet. 1:19.12

We ask our post-millennial brethren, Why do you not give the Church these comforting words,-this "meat in

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* "I bear full witness, in presence of God and Christ Jesus who is about to be judging living and dead, both as to His forthshining and His kingdom proclaim the Word." Rotherham's N. T. from the Gr. text of Tregelles.

short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

(11) Isa. 4:4. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Also Zech. 14.

(12) 2 Tim. 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,

for instruction in righteousness.

Heb. 10:25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2 Pet. 1:19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts.

due season?"

"Blessed is that servant whom His Lord

when He cometh shall find so doing." Lu. 12:43.

Ah! brethren, post-millennialism is hiding this STAR OF HOPE from the church, and incurring thereby a responsibility that God alone can estimate. The Church is lan

guishing because of this neglected truth.

Solemn Warning.

We beg of you to heed the following solemn words from Dr. Hugh McNeill: "My reverend brethren, watch, preach the coming of Jesus. I charge you, in the name of our common Master,-PREACH THE COMING OF JESUS; solemnly and affectionately, in the name of God, I charge you,— PREACH THE COMING OF JESUS. WATCH ye, therefore, lest, coming suddenly, He find the porter sleeping."

Pre-millennialism has a vital life in it, and gives the disciple a real love and relish for the Word of God, which opens up to him like a new book.

"Pre

Even Dr. Brown recognizes this, and he says: millennialists have done the Church a real service by calling attention to the place which the second advent holds in the Word of God and the scheme of divine truth." 17*

Bible is another
And though one

Many have we heard say, "Why, the book to me since I accepted this truth." is almost lost in the unfolding majesty and infinity of God's plans revealed therein, yet do we find it such a storehouse of truth and comfort, that continual study ever gives us richer food.

It is the MOST PRACTICAL DOCTRINE in the Christian faith, for "every man that hath this hope in Him (Christ) purifieth himself even as He (Christ) is pure." 1 John 3:3. And do we not want PRACTICAL HOLINESS?

Again, this doctrine when received into the heart is a mighty power to separate one from the love of the world. And were it thoroughly believed and preached in the Church, she would readily give of her substance so liberally that we should not be begging for money to sustain our missions.

*The Second Advent, Page 13.

It was this doctrine that inspired the sainted Bliss, and gave his songs such favor. How all of us love to sing "WHEN JESUS COMES," or "HOLD THE FORT FOR I AM COMING." The Church and the people want this truth, and God wants them to have it, we are assured, by the manifest interest and attention with which He blesses its presentation.

CHAPTER XIV.

SOME OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED.

No. I. It Discourages Missions.

It is objected that this doctrine discourages missions. This is not true. The missionary spirit among the evangelists of to-day is a sufficient answer to this. And let us name, among the missionaries who held this faith, Ben Ezra, Joseph Wolf, James McGregor Bertram, L. D. Mansfield, Gonsalves, Dr. Kelley and Hewitson.

"This was the hope that inspired Heber, the great missionary bishop of the English Church, who gave us that glorious missionary hymn, 'From Greenland's Icy Mountains,' and who spent his strength and rested from his labors 'on India's coral strand!'

"This was the hope that energized Gutzlaff, the opener of China, and Bettleheim, the opener of Japan; that inspired the noble Duff, who, under its influence, woke moderate Scotland from its lethargy, and was the pioneer of his indomitable race in India. This was the hope that inspired and cheered and everjoyed McCheyne and our own Poor, and Lowrie, and Rankin, and Lowenthal, and a host of others."

Mr. Lord affirms that among missionaries of all denomi nations, there is as great proportion of pre-millennialists, as there is among the ministry at home. They earnestly labor, as did the apostle, to save some from the wrath to come.1

(1) Rom. 11:14. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

1 Cor. 9:22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

1 Thes. 1:9. For they them

selves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

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