Herald of the Bridegroom

Are we ready?

The question will probably, arise with our readers, How long a time is to intervene between the appearing of Christ, and the full establishment of the immortal kingdom? We know not that there is any intimation of the period given. It may be seven years, the time brought to view, Ezekiel 39. It may be more or less. HOB 35.2

Some may also be perplexed with the question whether the city of Ezekiel is not to be built, before, or about the time of Christ’s coming? We think not. The portion of his prophecy in which it is spoken of, appears to be of a class that is not understood, because the probationary state of the Jews, as a body politic, is not understood. They are evidently conditional, and as the conditions were never complied with during their political probation, they have never been realized. If they have any application to the future at all, it can be only typical. Some of these portions are the following. Compare Ezekiel 43:6-11. Jeremiah 17:19-27. Zechariah 8:9-22. Malachi 3:10-12. HOB 35.3

We now occupy the position to which we believe the word of God points, for the opening of the drama which is to close up our probationary state. In this all should feel the deepest interest. All that can be associated with the idea of “damnation,” all that can be meant by “glory, immortality, and eternal life,” is then to be realized! The fate of all for eternity is then to be decided! HOB 35.4

It is a truly sublime and alarming, though necessary position into which every man is brought, when he is laid under the necessity of being honest and humble enough before God, to acknowledge the claims of his truth, or base enough to reject it. At that moment his character and fate are decided by the turn which his own hand must give the scale! “He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life shall find it.” Reader, you and I now occupy that position! “WATCH ye therefore, and PRAY always!” “And TAKE HEED to yourselves, lest at ANY TIME your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES.” HOB 35.5