The Importance of the Doctrine of the Second Advent as
a Motive and Help to Holiness.
NOTES OF AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE EDINBURGH
CONFERENCE, 1888.
It would be very pleasant and instructive to hear brethren relate
incidents connected with this blessed hope, and its effect upon the souls of
God's people. There are some very remarkable incidents. I may give a sample
before going into Scriptural testimony to-day. There was among us, one who knew
the whole truth in theory, and who had grace in his heart, but no joy, no
assurance. He used to wonder why. Hearing a rumour that there was a good deal
of talk in our congregation about the Second Coming of Christ, he said to one
of our elders, "That's a subject I never thought about." "Well," the elder
said, "set about looking into it at any rate." He said he would. A few weeks
after he came with his face beaming, and said, "I have not arrived yet at a
conclusion as to whether you are right or wrong about the Premillennial Coming,
but I will tell you what has happened. I have not any hesitation now, in
saying, Jesus is mine, and I am His." "But," said the friend, "what connection
has that with your study of this truth?" He said, "The connection is this; I
got so interested about Christ personally that I forgot myself. When I was
taken up with the Personal Saviour, I found all my doubts gone." I don't
remember whether he came to agree with us about the Premillennial Coming, for
he left the place soon after. But was there not here a blessed lesson? The
study of this subject brings us into direct contact at every point with the
living Saviour.
I remember going to see a suffering believer - a great sufferer. I sat
down and began to talk with her. "Are you wearying for the end of your
sufferings?" The answer I got was this: "I am not wearying for death; I don't
care to think on death - it is an enemy; but, oh, if Christ would come! if
Christ would come!" Was not that true spiritual instinct? We are not bidden
wish to die, but we are a hundred times bidden to long for the Coming of the
Lord.
Again, there was known to a great many of us, William Hewitson, a
minister of Christ among us; and God, by him, did a great work in Madeira,
where he laboured with Dr. Kalley. His biographer says that when the light of
this truth broke in upon him it was like a second conversion, it so lifted him
up. He used to say after that, that he had never before been able, as he now
was, to rejoice in his work always.
May I add something more? I was very glad to get a glimpse from Dr.
Cumming, and another from Mr. Riddell, of how they came to enter into this
view, and I believe at some of the prayer meetings there were other like hints
dropped. May I tell you the history of some of us in Edinburgh? It is about
sixty years since I myself felt the first thrill of interest in this subject -
when Edward Irving was preaching in this city. He had lectures at seven in the
morning during the time of the General Assembly, and for two or three years in
succession, on prophetic subjects. We used to go at six in the morning to get a
good seat. But I remember what led me to decision was the calm reading of
Matthew 24. That chapter decided me on this subject. I could not see a
foot-breadth of room for the Millennium before Christ comes in the clouds. It
is wave upon wave of tribulation till the Son of Man appears. Our Professor in
the Divinity Hall was Dr. Chalmers, and we sometimes told him our thoughts on
these subjects, and the opposition shown to us. He would most kindly say: "Oh,
gentlemen, there is no harm in studying that subject; go on, and make up your
mind. I have not arrived at a conclusion yet; I am looking into it"; and I am
glad to say that before he died he ranged himself with the Premillennialists.
From that date onward a little band of us began to set forth that truth. As for
myself, I do not know that I have ever finished a Communion Service, from the
day I was an ordained minister till now, without pointing the congregation to
the Coming of the Lord, closing with that song of the Old Testament Church,
looking through distant centuries, like Enoch, onward to the day of glory.
Psalm 98. 4-9. The cherishing of this blessed hope, instead of hindering our
work, has all along kept us at work, caring comparatively little for the
politics of earth. It has been like oil on the wheels, making us seek to abound
in the work of the Lord.
But it is time now, to come to the testimony of Scripture on this
subject, "The importance of the doctrine of the blessed advent as a motive and
help to holiness." We ought never to think that the mere holding of this truth
will of itself raise any believer higher in holiness. There are many who do not
hold this truth, and yet have outstripped those that have held it. But, at the
same time, notice carefully that the germ of this blessed hope is in every
believer. What is that germ? It is personal love to the Saviour; and you cannot
have personal love to the Saviour without longing to see Him as He is. Oh, to
see the head that was crowned with thorns, crowned with the crown wherewith He
shall be crowned on the day of His espousals! It is written in Titus 2. 12 -
the grace that brings salvation teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly
lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,
"looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ. " Is it not plain that there must be an element of
holiness wanting in that man who is not looking for this blessed hope? Some of
our friends, indeed, very unfairly cast up to those who do not hold the
Premillennial doctrine, that the last verse of Hebrews 9. 28 bears a frowning
aspect on their prospects because it reads that Christ was offered to bear the
sins of many, "And unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time
without sin unto salvation." I have heard it said, "Ah, you see it is to them
that look for Him: what will you do who are not expecting Him soon, in that
case?" But the truth is, that all believers are looking for Him in their
hearts, and the words really should be read thus, "Christ was once offered to
bear the sins of many (the multitude that no man can number, out of every
kindred, and tongue, and nation, and people), and to them looking for Him the
second time - " It is taken for granted that all who rest on His sacrifice are
looking for Him, though differing as to the probable time of His arrival.
But let us now show you, very rapidly, eighteen features of Christian
life affected by this truth. We might multiply the number, but these eighteen
we can rapidly glance at; and I will give them, as far as possible, in
alphabetical order, so that you may more readily recall them.
"Should now the Lord, the King,
appear, Like lightning's flash across the sky; His voice upon your
startled ear, Would rouse a wild and bitter cry -
'The Bridegroom's come! We have
no light, Oh rise, and give us of your oil; We did but slumber in the
night, And now He's come! O give us oil!
Give of your oil!' In vain, in vain,
Your day is past - in vain you cry; Those who are ready join the
train, And meet the Bridegroom in the sky."
As to you who are the wise virgins. Perhaps the following historic
incident may help you a little to conceive what may be your feeling when that
voice is heard. When those who upheld the banner of the truth had almost lost
heart, and Protestantism seemed failing, John Knox accepted the invitation from
the true-hearted ones, and left Geneva for Scotland. When he did land, quick as
lightning the news spread. The cry arose everywhere, "John Knox has come!"
Edinburgh came rushing into the streets; the old and the young, the lordly and
the low, were seen mingling together in delighted expectation. All business,
all common pursuits, were forsaken. The priests and friars abandoned their
altars and their masses, and looked out alarmed, or were seen standing by
themselves, shunned like lepers. Studious men were roused from their books,
mothers set down their infants and ran to enquire what had come to pass.
Travellers suddenly mounted and sped into the country with the tidings, "John
Knox has come!" At every cottage door the inmates stood and clustered,
wondering, as horseman after horseman cried, "Knox has come." Barques departing
from the harbour, bore up to each other at sea to tell the news. Shepherds
heard the news as they watched their flocks on the hills. The warders in the
Castle challenged the sound of quick feet approaching, and the challenge was
answered, "John Knox has come!" The whole land was moved; the whole land was
stirred with a new inspiration, and the hearts of enemies withered. If that was
the effect of the sudden presence of a man like ourselves (a man whom we will
rejoice to meet in the kingdom, but only a man), what will the land feel, what
will Earth feel, when the news comes, "The Son of Man! the Son of Man! His sign
has been seen in the heavens!" O, wise virgins, with what joy you will go out
to meet Him! Meanwhile, what should our attitude be? Every day let us go again
and look upon the blood of the atoning sacrifice, look till we find our hearts
burn within us with longing to know the love that passes knowledge; the love
that has height, and depth, and length, and breadth! Every day let us go to the
shore, and standing on the shore of that ocean, look across to yonder throne -
and the King! He is coming, Himself wearing many crowns, but with crowns
also for all that love His appearing.
