The Home Missionary, vol. 5

October 1893

“Get Ready for the Coming of the Lord” The Home Missionary, 5, 9, pp. 191-197.

ATJ

Sermon by Elder A. T. Jones, preached in the Tabernacle, Sabbath, July 29, 1893

Matthew 16:21-23: “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” HOMI October 1893, page 191.1

You will see that this lesson is the same as the three preceding ones that we have studied. There is a point, however, in this lesson that we all need to see, beyond those which we have studied already. HOMI October 1893, page 191.2

I have called attention several times to the fact that the last days of the Saviour on earth for us, correspond to his last days in heaven for us; and that the record of the disciples and their experience in his last days upon earth, is a warning, an example, to us who live in his last days for us in heaven. HOMI October 1893, page 191.3

That you may see this yet more plainly, I shall read a few passages from the Testimonies. In “Special Testimonies,” Appeal to our Ministers and Conference committees, on page 16, I read this passage concerning the second message as it was given in 1844, and that which corresponds to it now, and what this means:— HOMI October 1893, page 191.4

“The Revelator says, ‘I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.’ This is the same message that was given by the second angel,—‘Babylon is fallen,’ ‘because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’” HOMI October 1893, page 191.5

Now I read particularly the point to which I want to call your attention:— HOMI October 1893, page 191.6

“When Jesus began His public ministry, he cleansed the temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Almost the last act of his ministry was to cleanse the temple again. So in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches: the second angel’s message, and the voice heard from heaven, ‘Come out of her, my people, ... for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’” HOMI October 1893, page 191.7

What do the two cleansings of the temple signify?—The two calls out of Babylon. The first cleansing of the temple was at the beginning of His public ministry; the second cleansing of the temple was almost the last act of his public ministry. These two cleansings of the temple correspond to the two calls out of Babylon. The first cleansing of the temple represents the first call out of Babylon in the second angel’s message; and the second cleansing of the temple represents the second call out of Babylon where the angel of Revelation 18:1, 2 comes down crying mightily with a strong voice, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen,” “Come out of her my people.” And more than this: The first call out of Babylon was certainly at the beginning of his heavenly ministry in the Most Holy place, and as his second cleansing of the temple was almost the last act of his earthly ministry, and as this corresponds to the second call out of Babylon, it is plain that when this call goes forth, when the angel of Revelation 18:1, 2, comes down from heaven, we are then certainly in the time of almost the last act of his heavenly ministry in the Most Holy place. And we are certainly now in the time of the call of the angel of Revelation 18:1, 2, the loud cry of the third angel’s message; and are just as certainly in the time of almost the last act of our Saviour in his heavenly ministry for us, almost the last act of the cleansing of the heavenly temple. Almost the last act now; soon the last act itself will come; then probation will be past; and are you ready? HOMI October 1893, page 191.8

Now from that you can see what we have stated in our lessons a time or two before,—that the Saviour’s last days on earth for us correspond to his last day sin heaven for us. And the experience of him and his disciples in his last days on earth is recorded to show to us what ours is to be in our last days on earth, and in his last in his ministry in heaven for us. HOMI October 1893, page 191.9

Another thing: That first call—the fall of Babylon—in 1844, was the time when the message went forth, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh;” “The midnight cry,” “Behold, the bridegroom cometh.” Now we read a passage or two from “Early Writings,” to show what that signifies. This is the record of the second angel’s message, and the experience of it. Page 101:— HOMI October 1893, page 191.10

“Near the close of the second angel’s message, I saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’ This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message.” HOMI October 1893, page 191.11

And those who are here now, who were there then, know what that means. [Voice from the congregation, “Yes.”] In one of the camp-meetings in the East there was one of the brethren who was there at the time, and he is a minister still in the third angel’s message. He told us one day, when these subjects were up, what that meant, and how it went; how in going to and from meeting, or getting up in the morning, or walking across the fields, from hillside to hillside, and through the valleys, their voices were heard, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” They had the message then; all could preach it. HOMI October 1893, page 191.12

Let us read that again, and then see what it means:— HOMI October 1893, page 191.13

“This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message.” HOMI October 1893, page 191.14

Now I turn to the time of the third angel’s message, and see what that back there represents now. Page 137; this is entitled “The Loud Cry,”—the time of the loud cry, in which we now are:— HOMI October 1893, page 191.15

“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.’ The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel’s message. HOMI October 1893, page 192.1

“Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, ‘Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’ HOMI October 1893, page 192.2

Now note:— HOMI October 1893, page 192.3

“This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God’s people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom.” HOMI October 1893, page 192.4

Do you see what the midnight cry meant? Rather, do you see what it means? They knew what it meant back there; we are to learn what it means. And what that was to the second message, to the first message and the second message, this of Revelation 18—the loud cry of the third angel—is to the third angel’s message. But where did that come in, in the second message? Let us read that again:— HOMI October 1893, page 192.5

“Near the close of the second angel’s message.” HOMI October 1893, page 192.6

Where does this come in, then? We know that that back there represents the loud cry here, and the second call out of Babylon, and that was near the close of that message. What does that show then but that this is near the close of the third angel’s message? Now do you believe that? Do you believe we are near the close of the third angel’s message? That is where we are, whether you believe it or not. HOMI October 1893, page 192.7

“The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches. Many had come to years of accountability since these messages had been given, and the light shone upon them, and they were privileged to choose life or death. Some chose life and took their stand with those who were looking for their Lord and keeping all His commandments. The third message was to do its work; all were to be tested upon it, and the precious ones were to be called out from the religious bodies.”—Early Writings, 138, 139. HOMI October 1893, page 192.9

What I read this for is to show the relation between the loud cry of the third angel, and the midnight cry of the second. And as that was near the close of that message, so this is near the close of this message. As that call, the midnight cry, corresponded to the first cleansing of the temple by the Saviour at the beginning of his ministry, so this call, the loud cry, now corresponds to the second cleansing of the temple, which was almost the last act of his ministry; and all this shows that we are near the close of the third message. HOMI October 1893, page 192.10

Now another line of thought. In the study of these lessons we have found a parallel all the way through, between the time of the disciples and our time, both on the part of the world who are working against God, and on the part of the disciples who should have understood God’s way. And we found that the disciples at the very time when they should have been the widest awake, were asleep. At the very time when they should have obtained an experience that they might not fail in the hour of temptation which was quickly to follow, the listlessly went to sleep. And in their failure to keep awake and watch that hour, they failed to stand the test that came in the next hour, and the next. HOMI October 1893, page 192.11

And all this, we found, corresponds precisely to the little time, the “short period,” which precedes the time of trouble,—the last work of the Saviour in the heavenly sanctuary for us just before the time of trouble comes. And we are to watch through this time, in order that we may stand through the next hour, as we read a moment ago. HOMI October 1893, page 192.12

Now let us notice again that act of the disciples in going to sleep there, just in the time when they should have been the most awake, in the time when it was most important that they shonld [sic.] be awake of any time they had been with the Saviour. Can you see any connection between that record of those disciples, and the warnings that are given over and over and over in our day, not to go to sleep? Can you? When the Saviour told them that day, “Watch with me,” “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, the spirit indeed in willing, but the flesh is weak,”—do you see any connection between that and the word that he speaks to all now, “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch”? HOMI October 1893, page 192.13

Let us turn and read it. Mark 13; and this chapter, you remember, gives the record of the signs of the times. “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.” HOMI October 1893, page 192.14

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” HOMI October 1893, page 192.15

Did he go away, telling them to watch? Did he come back and find them sleeping? Did he? Did he wake them up and tell them again to watch, that they enter not into temptation? You know he did. And now he says to every one of us, “Watch, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Now is there any connection between this advice to us and the record that is made of the disciples’ failure to keep awake and watch? Is there? You know there is. HOMI October 1893, page 193.1

Well, why did he want them to keep awake? What was there that made it so necessary that they should be awake?—Ah, there was an hour coming right away, in which they were to meet things that they did not know of, but which he did know of, and which they could not meet unless they stayed awake and got the experience that was to be had in that hour of watching. Why is it, then, that he wants us to be so wide away jnst [sic.] now, and that we should not go to sleep? It is because we too are “soon to meet” an “hour of temptation,” in which we too shall fail as they did, unless we keep awake and watch in this our time of watching. You know that this is so. Then is it not “high time to awake out of sleep?” “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” HOMI October 1893, page 193.2

And I tell you, brethren and sisters, I have seen a parallel a good deal closer than that, in the study of this subject. I have seen people who would go to sleep in spite of everything, while studying that scripture,—that very scripture which tells of the disciples and their going to sleep when they should have kept awake. I have seen people go to sleep right in meeting, while studying this lesson about not going to sleep. Well, I say, this is a parallel that comes even closer than the other. Of course the other idea is using the fact from back there, and drawing from that a lesson to us to keep awake spiritually. But I tell you, brethren, our spiritual condition depends a great deal more than a good many people think, upon our physical condition. And if I go to sleep in meeting, and so fail to learn this spiritual lesson, what then is my spiritual condition going to be? That is going to be asleep too, isn’t it? Then let us look out, and not go to sleep phyically [sic.], lest we miss the very lesson that will be the turning point in our keeping awake spiritually. HOMI October 1893, page 193.3

Now I read a passage here again that I read awhile ago, to show that this is the meaning that the Lord has put into this thing; that this word which he speaks to us now, drawing the lesson from their failure back there, is to have us keep awake now in this time of watching, that we may have an experience that will cause us to stand in the hour which is soon to come; that we may not fail as they failed. HOMI October 1893, page 193.4

In the first place, I read this passage again:— HOMI October 1893, page 193.5

“The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared.” HOMI October 1893, page 193.6

Thus prepared! thus prepared! How is that? Why, by the words of this message, by the loud cry of this angel, by the time of refreshing, by the latter rain, the loud cry,—it is all one. HOMI October 1893, page 193.7

“The people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation which they are soon to meet.” HOMI October 1893, page 193.8

Now that you may see that still more forcibly, I will read a passage that we read once before, concerning the commencement of the time of trouble, that short period of the commencement of the time of trouble. HOMI October 1893, page 193.9

“At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.”—Early Writings, 27. HOMI October 1893, page 193.10

Concerning that, it is said:— HOMI October 1893, page 193.11

“‘The commencement of that time of trouble,’ here mentioned does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.” HOMI October 1893, page 193.12

Now these statements show plainly enough this connection directly with the time of the disciples. And the time has come; we are in that time; the loud cry is being given; we have been in that time nearly five years; nearly five years of this period is gone, and it is a short period at the best. And we want to prepare to meet him. [Voice: “Praise the Lord.”] I say so too; I say, Praise the Lord; for I want to see him. Anybody who has done so much for me as he has,—I want to see him. HOMI October 1893, page 193.13

Well, that being so, it is high time that we awake out of sleep, and see that we be not found asleep, whether he comes suddenly, at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; at the first watch; but that whenever he comes, he shall find us awake, watching, ready to pass through all this time, and to meet him in peace. HOMI October 1893, page 193.14

That brings us again to the thought that we had last Sabbath, and that is, to get ready to meet him; that we shall have nothing in this world to hold us down, no clog, everything cut loose,—property, everything on the altar to be consumed,—ready to meet him at his coming. HOMI October 1893, page 193.15

Now, as I said last winter in the lessons in the Bulletin, I do not want you to think that these lesson, as we have now given them, are especially for us because we are Seventh-day Adventists; but that they are exactly such lessons as I would give to people who had never heard of the third angel’s message at all. If I should go out to-morrow to hold a tent meeting, I would preach to the people just as I have preached to you in these sermons. And I would tell them that if they wanted to be sure of their property, they must get it into the third angel’s message, just as quickly as possible. I would preach this to men who never heard the third angel’s message, just as readily as I would to Seventh-day Adventists who have heard it, and do not pay attention to it. In fact, this is the third angel’s message. HOMI October 1893, page 193.16

Trouble is coming upon the earth. How is it all through the land,—not through this land only, but other lands, Australia, and this one perhaps the chiefest,—how has it been in the affairs of the world? Are the capitalists, men who have money, having a comfortable time, and everything going nice and easy? You know they are having the wildest time they have ever had, and such trouble as almost breaks their hearts. Of course they have had panics on Wall Street among the stock-gamblers; that is merely local; but this is wide-spread. HOMI October 1893, page 194.1

You know this, that trouble is coming all over the country; banks and business firms are failing everywhere. Men who have money in the banks, or in bank stocks, and such other places and enterprises, are finding that it is not at all safe there. When they want their money, they can’t get it. HOMI October 1893, page 194.2

Now, then, don’t you suppose that if I was going out to-morrow to preach the third angel’s message to the people, and I should preach the real message of God to men, it would be the proper thing for me to say to them, “If you want to be sure where your money is, and if you want to be sure of it all the time, you put it in the cause of God just as quickly as you can get it there; because God’s cause does not fail; men fail, earthly institutions fail, earthly institutions break; but God never fails; his cause never fails!” HOMI October 1893, page 194.3

Indeed, do you think I would be taking the proper message from God to men, if I did not talk that way to them?—No. Then if some of you who profess to be Seventh-day Adventists thought that was rather strong last Sabbath, about asking the Lord whether you should sell or not, and getting your means into the cause of God, as he tells you to,—if you thought that too strong talk, please don’t think that way any more, will you? If it was strange to you, please get acquainted with the third angel’s message; that is all I can say. HOMI October 1893, page 194.4

And to bring that even yet closer, I turn and read a little extract that was printed some time ago—about a year ago—in the Signs of the Times, from the same source:— HOMI October 1893, page 194.5

“The light has come. The light which will enlighten the earth with its bright rays has been shining from the throne of God. Shall we fail to appreciate precious privileges brought within our reach? I tell you, God is testing us just now.” HOMI October 1893, page 194.6

Testing us just now! With what kind of test? The same kind of test with which he tested those disciples that night when he asked them to watch with him that hour, that the might obtain the experience which they needed. They did not bear the test; they lost the experience; and then they failed to bear the other tests which were to come, and for which this was to prepare them. That is how he is testing us now; he is testing us with light; he is testing us with truth; he is testing us with the different phases of his message; he is testing us in these different ways, to see whether we will conform to what he says, to see whether we will consecrate ourselves to him, to see whether we will die that death, that greater death than we have ever yet died. I will read it:— HOMI October 1893, page 194.7

“Said the angel to them, ‘Will ye shun the seven last plagues? Will ye go to glory, and enjoy all that God has prepared for those that love him, and are willing to suffer for his sake? If so, ye must die that ye may live. Get ready, get ready, get ready.’”—Early Writings, 56. HOMI October 1893, page 194.8

Again:— HOMI October 1893, page 194.9

“In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said, ‘Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?’”—Early Writings, 54. HOMI October 1893, page 194.10

You know we are to reflect the image of Jesus fully, in order to be sealed with the seal of God. Do you reflect the image of Jesus fully? HOMI October 1893, page 194.11

Now we continue reading from page 54:— HOMI October 1893, page 194.12

“‘Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?’ Then I was pointed to the earth, and saw that there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the third angel’s message. Said the angel, ‘Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever yet died.’” HOMI October 1893, page 194.13

Are you willing to die a greater death to the world than you have ever yet died? Are you willing to cut loose from it wholly, and have not a single earthly interest left? Are you, at the direction of God, asking him—don’t ask men—when you shall sell? Ask him; that is his business; he will tell you. HOMI October 1893, page 194.14

So, “I tell you God is testing us now, just now; the whole earth is to be lighted with the glory of God; the light is shining now.” HOMI October 1893, page 194.15

Now we are ready for the special point in the lesson for to-day. I want you to look at the Scriptures yourselves. Open your Bibles at the 16th chapter of Matthew, the 8th chapter of Mark, and the 9th chapter of Luke,—all three, and hold all three places open. Now I want you to see that all three places speak of the same thing, and touch the same period exactly. That is the first thing to notice. HOMI October 1893, page 194.16

Now let us read the 16th chapter of Matthew and the 20th and 21st verses. That is the text we began with this morning:— HOMI October 1893, page 194.17

“Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” HOMI October 1893, page 194.18

Now turn to Mark, and see that he says the same thing in this place. Thirtieth verse:— HOMI October 1893, page 194.19

“And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.1

Now we read in Luke 9:21:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.2

“And he straitly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing; saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.3

It is all plain enough, isn’t it, that these three places speak of the same thing? Well, what followed? When Peter had rebuked Him, what did he do?—He rebuked Peter, and told him what was the matter with him,—that he did not understand the things that be of God, but those that be of men. And the reason of it was that he did not have the Spirit of God. The man who knows not the things of God, but only those that are of man, has not the Spirit of God; he has not that eye-salve; he cannot see. And the reason that he has not the Spirit of God, is that self lives and reigns. HOMI October 1893, page 195.4

Now turn to the 16th chapter of Matthew again, keeping the other places still. We read, beginning with the 24th verse:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.5

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” HOMI October 1893, page 195.6

Now turn to Mark, beginning with the 34th verse:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.7

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.8

Now turn to Luke and see the same thing, beginning with the 23rd verse:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.9

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. HOMI October 1893, page 195.10

9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. HOMI October 1893, page 195.11

9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.12

All this still shows that it is the same story in all three places, and in all three places is the lesson that was written for us in this time. HOMI October 1893, page 195.13

Now turn back to Matthew 27th verse:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.14

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.15

All three of these records refer to the same thing. Christ told them he was going to be crucified, and rise the third day. Did they know anything about it?—No. Why?—Because they did not have the Spirit of God. And what was it that kept them from having the Spirit of God?—Self. Christ’s whole work was that they might get rid of self; and that corresponds precisely to our time, and the third message, “Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see”; and, “We are to die a greater death to the world than we have ever yet died.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.16

Now how far along have we got in the record in these three places? Does not each one of them bring us to the coming of the Lord? Then when the people in the third angel’s message have reached that time corresponding to this experience of those disciples, haven’t they reached the time when the Lord’s coming is at the door? You will all say, “Yes;” and it is time. HOMI October 1893, page 195.17

Now let us read the 28th verse. HOMI October 1893, page 195.18

All of you please read that verse yourselves, and think carefully what it says, as you read it. HOMI October 1893, page 195.19

“Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.20

Was that read right? Was it? Does it say that? “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” What does that say? “There be some standing here.” Standing where?—“Here.” What does it mean? Does it mean what it says?—Yes, thank the Lord. Well then, what does it mean now to the people of the third angel’s message, who are now living? Where are we in that experience of the disciples? Does that experience mean anything to us at all? Was it written for us? Then I say again, when we have reached the time in the third message which corresponds to that time in their experience, where are we?—We are in the day when that scripture means what it says to the people who read it: “There be some standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.21

Now turn to Mark, and read the last verse of the 8th chapter. There is a division of chapters here, but there is no division of subjects; so we read right on. Now notice the first verse of the 9th chapter:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.22

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” HOMI October 1893, page 195.23

Then that belongs to the same thought in Mark, as it does in Matthew. HOMI October 1893, page 195.24

Now turn to Luke, and see whether it is repeated there also. Luke 9, verses 26 and 27 together:— HOMI October 1893, page 195.25

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angel’s. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” HOMI October 1893, page 196.1

Let us make this plain. I will say it slowly, and you think closely. We have seen over and over that the Saviour’s last days on earth for us, correspond to his last days in heaven for us. This is the truth. Now these passages in Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the record of the beginning of his last days on earth for us; for it is written:— HOMI October 1893, page 196.2

“From that time forth, began Jesus to show unto his disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things, and be killed and rise again the third day.” HOMI October 1893, page 196.3

So that there he entered especially upon the ministry of his last days upon earth for us, which was to end only with Gethsemane and Calvary. And from that time forth the disciples there were to understand these things, and to watch with him through Gethsemane, in order to be prepared to stand in the hour of temptation which immediately followed Gethsemane. But they failed to understand these things, and so failed to watch, and therefore failed in the hour of temptation. HOMI October 1893, page 196.4

Now why was all this written out? It certainly was not written for them, because their experience in this matter was all past, years before a word of it was written. It happened to them; but it was written for us. This experience of his disciples, then, was written out for his disciples who should live at another time. And as those last days of Jesus on earth for us correspond to his last days in heaven for us, so that experience of his disciples in his last days on earth for us, was written out for his disciples who should live in the time of his last work in heaven. And as we, and all the world, are now ourselves in this very time of his last work in heaven for us, it is as plain as day that these things were written for us, the people who are now living. HOMI October 1893, page 196.5

Therefore it is plain that we ourselves are now living in these very scriptures, as certainly as those disciples lived in the things written in these scriptures. And as they, living in the things written in the scriptures, did certainly see, at the transfiguration, the glory of Christ, and of those who were his, as he will appear in his glorious kingdom; so we now, living in these very scriptures, shall certainly see the Lord Jesus coming in his kingdom, in all his glory. And as they lived in that time when there were some standing there who should not taste of death till they saw him as he shall appear when he comes in his kingdom; and as we are living now in Christ’s heavenly ministry, precisely where they were then living in his earthly ministry, it is absolutely true, as it is written, “There be some standing here who shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” Good! Good! And I am glad of it, for I want to see him. HOMI October 1893, page 196.6

Then the record goes right on, “About an eight days after [or “after six days,” one says] he took Peter and James and John, and went up into a mountain to pray,” and was transfigured before them; his face did shine as the sun; his raiment was white it. What comes then?—The glory of God overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the light; and there appeared unto him two men, which were Moses and Elias, which also appeared in glory. What did Moses and Elias represent coming there? We all know that the transfiguration was a miniature representation of the coming of the Lord; Moses representing those who will be raised from the dead, and Elijah those who will be translated without seeing death. And as they there appeared with him in glory, even so “when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.” And as then the disciples entered into the cloud of glory, and “saw no man, but Jesus only with themselves,” even so, when he shall appear in glory, when he cometh with clouds, then we also shall enter into the cloud of his glory, as did they, and, like Moses and Elijah, shall appear with him in glory, for we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is, and forevermore we, too, shall see no man, but Jesus only with ourselves. Praise his holy name! HOMI October 1893, page 196.7

Don’t you see, then, that as that record goes straight onward from where the record of their experience meets us, the next thing is the coming of the Lord? Jesus is to appear in glory, and we are to appear with him in glory. Thank the Lord! And it all means that there be some standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom; and I am glad of it. HOMI October 1893, page 196.8

And I say again, if I were going out to-morrow to hold a tent-meeting, when the time came for that point to be given, I would preach it that way to the people who have no heard the third angel’s message; because it is the third angel’s message; it is the truth of God for this time. Are you going to shun and doubt it and wonder whether it is so? It says so, doesn’t it? Well, does it mean anything?—Oh, it means everything; for it means exactly what it says. And whenever anybody reads the Scripture now; wherever the messengers of the Lord go with his message—even to the ends of the earth—everywhere that this scripture is read, it means just what it says: “Verily, verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” HOMI October 1893, page 196.9

I am going to stop right here. For the Lord’s sake, and for your soul’s sake, study the last days of the Saviour on earth, will you? Study the experience of the disciples during those last days. Then bear in mind that the work in the heavenly sanctuary is almost finished; the day of atonement is almost ended, and whosoever does not afflict his soul, and seek the Lord with all his heart, is cut off when the day of atonement is past. Bear in mind that the experience of those back there was written to show what is coming in our experience. See what the Lord tells you and me in that word; believe it, and prepare to meet the Lord; for he is coming; he is coming. HOMI October 1893, page 196.10

O, I can do no more, and it is impossible to do any better, than to repeat what the angel said, yea, what the angel said twice, repeating it three times each time: “Get ready, GET READY, GET READY.” HOMI October 1893, page 197.1