"Study to show thyself approved
unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth"
2 Timothy 2:15
Andrew Bonar at age 80
Andrew Bonar's Study
During his days at the Divinity Hall, Andrew Bonar and his friends heard
lectures by Edward Irving on prophetic subjects, and these made a deep
impression.
Through also studying the Bible on this subject, and in particular through a
'calm reading' of Matthew 24, Andrew Bonar became convinced that Christ's
second Advent could be no other than pre-millennial.
His brother Horatius, his closest friend Robert Murray M'Cheyne and several
others were of the same opinion. Although they 'began to set forth that truth',
none of them were fanatical about the subject, and always felt that preaching
the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ should have the priority.
Some books and articles by Andrew Bonar which deal with this subject are:
Redemption Drawing Nigh. A Defence Of The
Premillenial Advent. 1847.
The Development Of Antichrist.
1853.
The Hope of the Lord's Return. The
importance of the Doctrine of the Second Advent as a Motive and Help to
Holiness. 1888. (From 'Sheaves After Harvest' -
edited by Marjory Bonar, 1895)
In 'The Hope of the Lord's Return' he says:
"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."
Andrew A. Bonar D.D. Diary and Letters.
Transcribed and edited by Marjory Bonar, 1894.
Some quotations from the Diary:
1829. 24th May - "Have been hearing
Mr. Irving's lectures all the week, and am persuaded now that his views of the
Coming of Christ are truth."
1831. 3rd October - "More and more
convinced that the time of Christ's Coming is before the thousand years; often
grieved by hearing opposition to this."
1832. May 5th - "He (Horatius Bonar)
spoke about the need of labourers and ministers at home, and the witness for
Christ's Second Coming borne by few in this land. That may be part of our
work."
1833. October 3rd - "Spent some time
in praying for the spread of the study of prophecy; then wrote a reply to an
article in the Christian Instructor against the Pre-millennial Coming of
Christ. Writing upon this subject makes me long much for that glorious
day."
1836. September 4th - "..nor have I
prayed on behalf of God's truth regarding Christ's Coming, which John Purves
has been preaching, and which is here greatly opposed by an old saint with whom
I had just met."
1837. 2nd July - "Horace's (Horatius)
millenarian views are likely to keep him from Kelso. 16th July - Praying for
Horace in regard to Kelso, that his testimony to Christ's Coming again may be
honoured of God."
1843. May 3rd - "Heard that St.
Peter's is settled; Islay Burns chosen (After M'Cheyne's death). ..I was afraid
of being proposed, but left all to God. Many of the electors could not bear my
views of Christ's Advent. Many other reasons."
1844. 6th January - "I often feel that
Christ's Coming is nearer and nearer. I am reading passages upon this subject
to my people every afternoon before preaching.
1846. 15th January - "To-day I have
been laying upon the golden altar a small work upon the Second Coming, which I
have been enabled to finish to-day." (This must be the work with the
title: 'Redemption drawing nigh' which was published in September 1847.)
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Updated 5 July 2001