The Arminian Magazine--Fall, 1984

IS THE SECOND ADVENT OF OUR LORD IMMINENT --Robert L. Brush

To address so delicate a subject without offending at least some sincere Christians is almost an impossibility. I pray that I might not write one word that would be contrary to the Word of God. My prayer is that all who read these lines will receive these words with as much sincerity as they are written.

The first thing to establish is the meaning of the word "imminent." The primary meaning of the word is "threatening to occur immediately." Another meaning is "impending," which could mean that which hangs suspended which could be indefinite as to time. If by imminent is meant, an impending or an indefinite suspension, something that might occur at anytime or yet may be delayed indefinitely to some unknown future time, it, of course, could be said that Christ's second advent may be imminent. That is, it could be delayed for hundreds of years or it may happen before you finish reading these lines! Even if you believe Christ's second advent to be post-millennial, sincere Christians disagree as to the nature and length of the millennium. Whether it is a literal one thousand years or only a long period of time or as some believe, three hundred sixty thousand years in length, the Scriptures are not at all clear. Some Christians believe the millennium to be going on now. If Satan is indeed bound or restricted now (and it is certain the he is to some extend), then the millennial period could be coming to a close, leading one to expect the coming of the Lord soon. If the millennial period is yet future and Christ's second advent is after this, then the second advent is yet at a great distance.

However, usually what is meant by the second advent being imminent is that the second advent is pre-millennial and that it is at hand or that it will take place within the next few days or, at most, a few years, not over ten or twenty years, no later than 2000 A. D. for sure. Of course, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find scriptural support for this. When you stop and think a little, you realize how foolish it is to believe something like that without strong scriptural support.

Is Christ's second advent then imminent - about to happen now I find no real proof in the Scriptures or even that His second advent must be pre-millennial!

Let's examine the Scriptures that are usually interpreted to "prove" that Christ's second advent to be imminent (must occur very soon). The budding of the fig tree theory (Matthew 24) is based solely on the assumption that the fig tree is the nation Israel, which is purely speculation from which you can prove nothing. "This generation" in verse 34 obviously means the people to whom Jesus was then speaking, which, no doubt was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem. Adam Clarke gives a good account of this. The great tribulation of verse 21 is then obviously past nor need we look for another one for the same verse states "nor ever shall be."

In Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians we find not evidence to support that the second advent must take place by the year 2000. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 states that the Christians are not to grieve over parted loved ones, those who have died and gone to heaven, for when Christ returns (the second advent is obviously meant) they will come with Him and receive their glorified bodies and we shall all be together with the Lord in the air - not on earth! It is obvious Paul could not have meant himself by the "we that are alive and remain" in verse 17, nor the Christians to whom he was writing. This could not possibly be true for Christ did not appear in their lifetime nor has He appeared the second time even yet! "We that are alive and remain" obviously means those who are alive when Jesus comes, whoever they may be. To say that Paul expected Jesus to come in his lifetime is indeed to put him in a bad light, and even worse yet, to say he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures to encourage Christians to believe that Christ would appear in their lifetime. This is to make the bible in error for it taught the Thessalonians to look for Christ to come in their lifetime when He obviously was not coming then or for a long period of time. "That the dead in Christ will rise first" has no reference to the wicked dead, but to the "living Christians" of verse 17.

In chapter 3, Paul tells them that the day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly upon the wicked, but not, of course, to the Christians, for they are always ready. THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL NOT BE AS A THIEF to the Christian - only to sinners! None of this even hints the second advent is imminent or must happen by the year 2000.

In his second letter Paul labors to clear up any misunderstanding about the second advent as some seemed to think Christ would come immediately in their life-time. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 states clearly that Christ's coming is NOT imminent! Anti- Christ must first come, but he will be consumed with the spirit of His (Christ Jesus') mouth. (The spirit of His mouth obviously is the preaching of the gospel) and destroyed (at last, at the last day by His second advent) with the brightness of His coming in judgment. Regardless of how you interpret this passage, you cannot read into it an imminent return of Christ - then or now!

In 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1, Paul speaks of Christ's second advent as being in flaming fire in vengeance upon the wicked and at the same time He is glorified in His saints and admired in all who believe. There is not hint of "two phases" of the second advent in any of this. The "two phase theory" is mere speculation without any scriptural foundation.

The description of the end of the world given by Peter in 2 Peter 3 certainly does not set any dates, but leads us to believe the second advent will be in judgment upon the wicked, not to set up a kingdom.

The "so much the more as we see the day approaching" in Hebrews 10:25 must have had reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and not the second advent, for they could not have seen the second advent approaching then so as to excite them to meet together, if those words mean anything close to what such language means now.

The "Behold I come quickly" in Revelation 3:11 and elsewhere refers to the "manner" not the "time" of His coming.

"The Lord is at hand" in Philippians 4:5 simply means the Lord is at hand observing our actions, so therefore, "let your moderation be know to all men."

The book of Revelation is a book that must be interpreted by the rest of the Bible. No book so full of types and figurative language can be used as a guide to interpret the rest of the Scripture, but the other Scriptures are used as a guide to interpret this highly figurative book. It is certainly a wild stretch of the imagination to try to read a "rapture of the church" into 4:1; or that the souls that were beheaded in 20:4 really means the glorified bodies of all saints of all ages or that they reigned with Christ in earth at all! Nowhere does the bible state that glorified saints will reign with Christ on earth!

Yes, Christ is coming back! He will judge the world! He is coming in flaming fire - this world will be burned up and the wicked cast into hell, but the righteous will shine forth as the sun (Matthew 13). But when will he come It is not for us to know the time and the seasons (Acts 1:7).

What about Israel Israel became a nation in 1948. Was not this a fulfillment of prophecy Yes, it was, but does that mean that the coming of the Lord is imminent Not necessarily. Let's look at Romans 11 where this subject is discussed. In Romans 11:15 Paul speaks of the fullness of the Jews, meaning by that, the turning to faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, which hasn't happened yet. Israel is still in unbelief, but when there is a great and general turning to Christ by Gentile nations first, this will provoke them to jealousy and Israel will turn to Christ (verse 25). Verse 25 speaks of Israel being blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. The Gentile fullness is the same as the Jewish fullness, meaning simply a great awakening among Gentile nations which will produce a similar awakening among the Jews, especially when Israel sees what great economic blessings a Christian reconstruction among the Gentile nations will produce. This will provoke them to jealousy to do the same (verses 11, 25- 27).

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out" (Romans 11:33).

Adam Clarke predicted the fullness of the Gentiles and Israel turning to Christ in 1947, which he thought "would be a final fulfillment of prophecy when all great events relative to salvation shall have taken place. Wars and contention will probably then cease over the whole world. Jews and Gentiles become one fold and one Shepherd and the Triune God be worshipped from generation to generation." But he adds, "We have not chronological data; and the times and seasons God has reserved in His own power." Of course, Mr. Clarke thought or assumed when Israel once again became a powerful nation, she would also at the same time believe in Christ (Commentary, 4:618-9). Obviously this was not true, but Israel will turn to Christ, but only after a great awakening and reconstruction among Gentile nations.

If Israel must turn to Christ, and she surely will, then she must do so before the second advent, because after the second advent (which will be in flaming fire taking vengeance upon the ungodly) no one will turn to Christ, for that will be the end of the age and the final judgment.

Let me recommend a book: Christ's Second Coming: Will It Be Premillennial by David Brown (1876; rpt. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983).

ARE THERE TWO PHASES TO CHRIST'S SECOND ADVENT --Vic Reasoner

In order to be orthodox there are several fundamental doctrines relating to eschatology which we must accept. We must believe in the literal second coming of Christ, the judgment, and eternal life in heaven or eternal death in hell. If we are not careful we will lose sight of these great truths and spend our time speculating on questions of lesser importance. Good men have not always agreed on the details, but they have agreed on these fundamental truths. We must never forget the religious leaders of Israel when Christ came the first time and how far they missed Him. Our loyalty must be to Him and not to our personal theories about His coming. It is sad that theories with little biblical support have often been made a test of faith. We are often the most dogmatic about theories we have not carefully studied. It would take a book to answer the question posed as the title. The author does not offer his conclusions as the last word on the subject, but in order to challenge our thinking.

Our Lord's disciples asked Him, "What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age" (Matthew 24:3). The disciples clearly put these two great event together in their thinking. In His answer Jesus does not make a distinction in time between His coming and the end or conclusion. He warns against growing cold spiritually and assures us that we will be tested. He tells us not to be overly alarmed about wars, famine, and earthquakes for this has been the pattern of history. Then He gives the sign that the disciples had asked for. "But he who stands firm to the END will be saved and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the END will come." "The final and proper coming of the Lord cannot take place until the whole world has been in the New Testament sense of the word, evangelized," writes W. B. Pope. He promised no secret rapture before the end came. The sign of His return is to be the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. It is absurd to teach that this great revival will occur after the Church has been raptured, after the Holy Spirit has departed, and that people left will be justified by a different method. But to the dispensationalist who divides Israel from the Church, it is necessary to dispose of the Church so that God can deal with Israel. Dr. John Walvoord, a leading dispensational spokesman admits, "It is therefore not too much to say that the rapture question is determined more by ecclesiology than eschatology." In other words the theory that God has two peoples - the Church and the nation of Israel leads to the logical necessity of a second and a third coming of Christ. We are assured that Christ will come "the second time without sin unto salvation," but there is no clear teaching scripturally that He will come more than that.

Those who make a distinction between the "rapture" and the "revelation" also base their teaching on the use of three Greek words. Parousia is said to refer to the rapture and apokalupsis and ephiphaneia are said to refer to the revelation. However, in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 both parousia and ephiphaneia are used in the same verse to describe the same event. The blessed hope promised in Titus 2:13-14 would not be the rapture since the word ephiphaneia is used. This is also true of 2 Timothy 4:8.

Some also say Christ must first come FOR His saints in the rapture and then after a disputed length of time come WITH His saints in revelation. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 is a proof text since it uses the word "with." However, the Greek word used is parousia and by their definition this word refers to the rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 is the most commonly used passage to support the idea of a secret rapture. It does compare His coming to a thief who comes unexpectedly, but nothing about this coming is secret. On the contrary it will be loud enough to raise the dead!

Not only do the experts disagree as to whether this rapture is to be pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib, but we also have partial rapturists who hold to several raptures. Only those members of their elect group will miss the tribulation period.

After surveying the major passages used to prove two phases to Christ's return, George Eldon Ladd summarized his findings:

The vocabulary used of our Lord's return leads no support for the idea of two coming of Christ or of two aspects of his coming. On the contrary it substantiates the view that the return of Christ will be a single, indivisible, glorious event.

Christ declared that "the wheat and the tares are to remain together in the field until the harvest" or end of the age. The secret rapture theory teaches that all the wheat is removed and the tares left standing before the end.

In addition to the weak biblical basis for the doctrine of two separate comings of Christ, it is interesting to consider the historical background of the theory. Dave MacPherson has written more than one book on the historical origin of this theory and concludes that all Christian before 1830 believed in a single unified coming of Christ. He says the secret rapture was so secret it was never heard of before a follower of Edward Irving prophesied it through the "gift of tongues." In Background to Dispensationalism we read:

Even dispensationalists admit the late development of this doctrine. Walvoord admits, "This teaching was espoused of Darby and the Plymouth Brethren and popularized by the famous Scofield Bible." Ironside, in writing about the Powerscourt Prophetic conferences (of which Darby was the leader) states, "It was in these meetings that the precious truth of the rapture of the Church was brought to light.

It was Edward Irving that first became convinced that the world was not moving toward better conditions, but worse. He believed that directly before man there lay a period of terrible suffering. By the year 1824 he concluded that almost all biblical prophecies had been fulfilled and the coming of the Lord could not be over a few years away. Finally his movement set the date of June 27, 1835.

It was in 1830 that Margaret MacDonald, a follower of Irving, received her revelation. Darby tells about his visit to the MacDonald home in his book, The Irrationalism of Infidelity. He too then began teaching a pre-trib rapture.

In conclusion, what difference does it make whether we believe in one coming or two R. J. Rushdoony evaluates the practical result of teaching a secret rapture before the great day of Christ's return:

People who expect the world to end very soon, and are planning on being raptured out of it, are not likely to be concerned about dominion over the earth, nor the application of God's law to the whole of life. Moreover, if such people believe, as they do, that Satan rules the world, they will regard their responsibilities to the world as negligible and the world as something to escape from.

Daniel Steele declared:

The effect of this teaching is, first, to belittle the Christian agencies how in operation by asserting that they are inadequate to the conversion of the world. Secondly, it gives a Jewish and highly materialistic turn to the kingdom of Christ, and leads to a depreciation of the spiritual manifestation of Christ by the Comforter in this life. Thirdly, it calls off the attention from the great saving truths of the Gospel, and leads believers to dwell upon airy and baseless speculations and profitless argumentation.

Christ is coming back, but not until "this gospel of the kingdom will be preaching in the whole world as a testimony to all nations." The world's population is about 4 1/2 billion. Even if we count all the cults and Roman Catholicism we would have about one third of the world professing to be Christian. Another third have heard or had some exposure, but have never responded. the final third have never heard the name of Jesus for the first time. In Psalm 2:8 Christ is promised the heathen for His inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. Our hope is not to escape the world through a secret rapture, but that "His Kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

THE DESIGN OF THE GOSPEL --Elmer Long

What is the design of the gospel

Was it to be only a witness to the world or was it designed to purify society

Herein are two thoughts. There are a host of people who preach and teach that the world is doomed and the gospel will not change it. It was not designed to do so. The world will grow worse and end in apostasy. A world known preacher has made the following statement, "You do not polish the brass on a sinking ship." This is his concept of the power of the gospel. The second coming of Christ is the only cure for man's problem. That the second coming of Christ is a most important doctrine we do not deny. But does not the gospel prepare men for this The Bible tells us that the gospel will change and purify men bringing one into a spiritual kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; a kingdom that will conquer all kingdoms. This does not mean everybody will be saved, but that Christian principles will be the rule, not the exception.

As a boy I remember when the Church had such influence that no one need lock their doors, crime was rare, and morals were the rule. Why is this not true now Has God changed The Church believed then that the gospel was the cure for man's evil. Jesus said Christians were to be the salt of the earth. Salt is designed to preserve and flavor society. When it fails to do this it is good for nothing but to be trodden under the feet of man.

It has been said if the gospel was designed to change society, why is much sin and wickedness abounding The answer lies in the fact that most do not believe that the gospel can or will do this. It is preached everywhere that tribulation, apostasy, and defeat is all to be expected. This has killed the faith of the people. Some teach there is an escape route by a secret coming of Christ for the saints. Others say all will go through a great tribulation. The results are the same in either case.

One of the chief reasons why this is preached so much is because men preach out of their own experience. They do not have victory over sin in their own lives. So out of their own defeats they preach a doctrine that fits their own experience. The church is filled with people who have no assurance of salvation. They have a false security but not a clear witness of the Holy Spirit along with the fruit. And if they do not have the fruits of the Spirit they do not have the witness of the Spirit.

In Daniel we are told the kingdom made without hands will consume all other kingdoms and will last forever. This is a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one and it brought about by the preaching of the gospel. Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against this Church. Let us preach a gospel that will change men, bringing them into the kingdom of Christ and giving them victory over sin. In so doing it will change society as well. society is made up of men. Purify men and you will purify society. May God help us not to preach out of prayerlessness and defeats making an alibi for our own failures.

Herein lies the two thoughts. One is: the kingdom of Satan will bring the Church down to apostasy in this world, making the devil the winner. The other is the gospel will triumph. Which do you belong to

WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE TOWARDS THE "SECOND ADVENT" --L. W. Ruth, Jr.

Before we consider the answer to the question at hand, let us establish some facts regarding the second advent of Christ.

First of all, the fact of His return is found in Acts 1:9-11:

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Which also said, 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.

Also we find in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Revelation 1:7

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Secondly, let's consider what is to take place at his return the second time. Again we will consult two different writers, as well as what Jesus said himself as recorded in Matthew's Gospel.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day [2 Thessalonians 1:7-10].

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up [2 Peter 3:10].

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left [Matthew 25:31-33].

It is recommended that the reader consider this passage to the end of the chapter and also to read prayerfully Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43, and 47-50.

Before we could adequately answer the question at hand and build on a solid foundation, we need to consider one other important fact. This is the event relative to the mission of the Church or the kingdom of heaven which must be accomplished before Christ returns. If we fail to understand this one fact, we cannot possibly have the correct attitude toward the "second advent" of Christ.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen [Matthew 28:19-20].

We find here the mission of the Church as well as it's duration. The marginal rendering of the phrase in verse 19, "teach all nations," is "make disciples, or Christians of all nations." Jesus taught also in his parables of the kingdom as being comparatively small in its beginning, but having a mighty influence, so that it became great. This certainly agrees with the Prophet Daniel where he refers to an everlasting kingdom, which could consume all other kingdoms.

It appears from these Scriptures, as well as Romans 11:23-26, that not only all Gentile nations, but also Israel should be so moved upon by God through the preaching of the gospel, so that they could be called "Christian" nations. All of this must be accomplished before the "end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). See also Acts 3:19-26.

The following is from Wesley's sermon "Scriptural Christianity," which the reader is urged to read in its entirety.

III, 1. But shall we not see greater things than these Yea, greater than have been yet from the beginning of the world Can Satan cause the truth of God to fail Or his promises to be of none effect If not, the time will come when Christianity will prevail over all, and cover the earth. Let us stand a little, and survey . . . this strange sight, a Christian world. 'Of this the prophets of old inquired and searched diligently:' of this 'the Spirit which was in them testified': 'It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. . . . And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not life up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.' 'In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people. To it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again to recover the remnant of his people; . . . and he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah, from the four corners of the earth.' 'The wolf shall (then) dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. . . . They shall not hurt or destroy (saith the Lord) in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.'

Wesley had before in his sermon shown how Christianity had begun to spread itself in the earth. He further states in 4

Having thus briefly considered Christianity as beginning, as going on, and as covering the earth, it remains only that I should close the whole with a plain practical application.

1. And first I would ask, Where does this Christianity now exist Where, I pray, do the Christians live Which is the country, the inhabitants whereof are 'all (thus) filled with the Holy Ghost' Are all 'of one heart and of one soul' Cannot suffer one among them to 'lack anything', but continually give 'to every man as he hath need' Who have all 'put on bowels of mercies, humbleness of mind, gentleness, long-suffering' Who offend not in any kind, either by word or deed, against justice, mercy, or truth, but in every point do unto all men as they would these should do unto them With what propriety can we term any a Christian country which does not answer this description Why the, let us confess we have never yet seen a Christian country upon earth.

Let us now answer our question regarding our attitude, with a question found in 2 Peter 3:11-12. In verse 12, where Peter says "hasting unto the coming," the margin says, "hasting the coming." Adam Clarke says this literally means "earnestly desiring or wishing for." Another writer in The Methodist Commentary on the New Testament says

Not that God's eternal appointment of the time is changeable, but God appoints us as instruments of accomplishing those events which must be first before the day of God can come. By praying for His coming, and by furthering the preaching of the gospel for a witness to all nations, we hasten the coming of the day of God. Christ says, "Surely I come quickly, Amen." Our part is to speed forward this consummation by continually praying; "Even so; come, Lord Jesus."

In view of all that has been said, certainly our attitude toward Christ's return should be one of anticipation, but this anticipation can only be truly reflected in our laboring with prayer and faith for the salvation of souls. Our faith should be in the power of God, expecting Him to grant revival, and a gathering in of souls. Of course, we must be certain that we are not guilty of sins of commission or omission, as the text in 2 Peter 3 implies.

Reader, there is a world out about you which is unconverted and therefore unprepared to meet God at the judgment. They cannot be reached by a Church which has not faith which works, hope without patience, and love which labors not. Will you allow the above to challenge you to look above the conditions which seem to prevail and look to God in faith, believing His Word

EDITORIAL --C. Marion Brown

The issue of the Arminian Magazine is devoted to articles relating to Christ's second advent.

It is interesting to not how differently some believe in the days of early Methodism to what is generally taught today, even among those who claim to be "Wesleyan."

Adam Clarke, in his Christian Theology says on the subject of the "millennium" the following:

What disappointment and confusion have been brought into the minds of many, by calculations relative to the termination of certain empires, Papal and Turkish; the beast and the false prophet; Christ's second coming to establish a universal empire, the laws of which are to be administered by his presence, corporeally manifested on earth; and also concerning the time of the final judgment and the end of the world! When a fancy is pursued, the line of pursuit is only directed by a sort of telegraphic phantoms, unreal landmarks to unreal objects; and when the last ignis fatuus has terminated its uncertain dance by absorption in some other vapor by which it has been neutralized, we are left in sudden darkness, in the quagmire where all such mental aberrations must necessarily end; and thus prophecy is prostituted; faith and hope (improperly employed) are disappointed; and religion itself discredited.

It is truly an astonishing thing that men will prefer hope to enjoyment; and rather content themselves with blessings in prospect than in possession!

Thousands, in their affections, conversation, and conduct, are wandering after an undefined and indefinable period, commonly called a millennial glory, while expectation is paralyzed, and prayer and faith restrained in reference to present salvation: and yet none of these can tell what even a day may bring forth; for we now stand on the verge of eternity, and, because it is so, "now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation" [pp. 425-6].

One phrase would bear some serious consideration: "Faith and hope (improperly employed) are disappointed; and religion itself discredited."

Faith is relative to truth, and because it is, our works reflect the nature of our faith. Belief of the truth produces good works; belief of a lie produces bad works. Herein lies the seriousness of what we believe, even relative to Christ's second advent. If truth is mixed with error, faith is hindered in proportion to the error and our works likewise are affected accordingly. An example may be found in the popular theory of a "secret rapture" with those left behind to suffer untold torments during "the tribulation." Those who hold to this theory usually are heard to say; "What we do, we must do quickly" and the message to sinners is that they ought to seek the Lord so they won't be left behind. Of course, others would have us believe that some will be saved during this "tribulation," especially the Jews. But, is this the impelling force for us to desire the salvation of the lost Rather is not the Bible clear on the fact that our reason for preaching the gospel is to prepare souls for the judgment; that is "to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (2 Corinthians 5:10-15; Colossians 1:27-28). And is not the same gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to Gentiles, equally effective for Jews (Romans 1:16), or does it take something different

Along with this "theory" of course, is that the saints who have been away for a period of time with Christ, are coming back to this present world with all its marks and traces of sin and rule with a rod or iron, as mayors, governors, etc, and "make the people quit their sinning and serve the Lord." In a word, force is to be used where the gospel was a failure.

Let's examine the Scripture to see if it really says all this. First of all, here are some established facts regarding the "last days." The only true method of determining what is meant by the "last days," is to see what the apostles had to say in their writings.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in the time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath is these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds [Hebrews 1:1-2].

This clearly indicates that Christ was here during a part of what is known as the "last days."

When did they begin When shall they end What is to be done between these two points Galatians 4:4-5 gives a beginning: "When the fullness of time was come." The time which was foretold by Daniel as to being 490 years from a fixed time, and which by at least two fixed historical facts, ended at the crucifixion of Christ (see Clarke's notes and also Fletcher's Works relating to this).

Hebrews 9:27-28 gives the time when these last days shall end. Ephesians 1:10 and also Acts 3:19-21 tell us what will be going on during the time in between the beginning and the end.

It is interesting to note Peter's message in Acts 3; especially verse 21: "Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things." Undoubtedly, Peter must have believed that the preaching of the gospel would be sufficient to convert a world of sinners, at least to the point that it could be said that all nations were Christian nations, operating on Christian principles. And he also believed that Christ was not coming back until this was accomplished.

Has this happened yet If not, surely the Church must have somehow gotten it's faith improperly employed, possibly through the belief of error mixed with truth.

Peter's message would not be welcome among those who are looking for things to get worse and worse and say that the days of revival are over; that all we can expect is just one now and then getting saved.

Does it not appear that faith and hope have been improperly employed while the Church is out chasing phantoms Would it not be more in line with the power of the gospel to be employed with believing and hoping for revival and expecting God to do great and mighty things, instead of looking for beasts, anti-christs, and the like and expecting Christ to come and get us out of the awful mess we are in. It really is not a mark of much grace to want to get out of the mess, but rather that God would help us to stay with it until things are restored to their proper order, sinners converted, and our nations operating on Christian principles.

It is recommended that 2 Peter 3 be read, as well as 2 Thessalonians 1, in their entirety as they relate to what has been said above.