"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