I. The Second Advent

Adventism and the Bible, Feature, J. Henry Monk

Relative to the second coming of Christ, there are only two things about which any Christian should feel greatly concerned. They are, (1) that he will come again (John 14: 3; Acts 1: 11; Acts 3: 20; Acts 20: 23; 1 Cor. 1: 7; Phil. 3: 20; 2 Thess. 1: 7; Tit. 2: 13; Rev. 1: 7), and (2) that his people should be looking for him (Matt.24: 42) and be ready (Matt. 24: 44).

THE MANNER OF HIS COMING.

While Christians of all communions are united in the belief that he is to come again, there is a marked difference as to the manner of his coming.

We are told by inspiration that the “same Jesus” who went into heaven will come again “in like manner” as he went away. (Acts 1: 11.) As he went visibly away, it seems plain that he will visibly return. But, others point out, as he went secretly away (so far as the “world” was concerned), he will secretly return.

This view is severely offset, however, in Matt.24: 28, where the Lord warned his disciples against believing in a “secret” return of their Master; and in verse 27 of this chapter we read that “as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.”

The word here translated “lightning” is the word astrapee, the regular word for electrical discharges in the heavens. The same word is found in Luke 10: 31, where it is stated by the Lord that Satan as astrapee fell from heaven.

This passage does not allow of the doctrine, advocated by some, that “lightning” in this passage means a “lighting up,” such as the dawning of the day.

John, on the isle of Patmos, foretold that “every eye” will see him when he comes. (Rev. 1:7.)

SIGNS OF HIS COMING.

Matt. 24 is the great second-advent chapter in the New Testament. Here the “signs” that foretell his coming are found. They are as follows:

  1. “The sun shall be darkened.” (Matt. 24:29.)
  2. ”The moon shall not give her light.”
  3. ”The stars shall fall from heaven.”
  4. ”The powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
  5. ”The sign of the Son of man in heaven.”
  6. ”Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn.”
  7. ”And they shall see the Son of man coming.” 

Adventists contend that the first three of this catalogue of six “signs” have come to pass. No one, so far as I know, teaches that the last three have appeared.

NOTED ADVENT PREACHERS.

Human beings move in schools. Let a Darwin appear, and a group of scientists will attach themselves to him; let a Columbus arise, and the western waters are flooded with ships; or a Luther, and reformers are seen everywhere. Edward Irwin, of England, 1795, made himself felt on the subject of the second coming of Christ. Immediately there came into being the usual “school” of thinkers on this question. Early Advent preachers are these: Bengal and Kelbar, of Germany; W. E. Davis, of South Carolina; Joseph Wolfe and Edward Irwin, of England; “Ben Ezra,” of Spain; and Henzepeter, of Holland. (“Great Second Advent Movement,” Chapter V.)

William Miller, the founder of Adventism in America, was a sort of “last rose of summer” of this school of second-advent preachers. Not only did he come, in point of time, after all the others, but, so coming, he had the benefit of their labors and views. From a careful study of the many Advent publications and views afloat in his day, Miller formulated his theories of which we are to read in the following pages.

CONTENTS

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