The Signs of the Times, vol. 25

May 31, 1899

“His Coming in Glory” The Signs of the Times 25, 22, pp. 2, 3.

“HE comes not an infant in Bethlehem born;
He comes not to lie in a manger;
He comes not again to be treated with scorn;
He comes not a shelterless stranger;
He comes not to Gethsemane. SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.1

To weep and sweat blood in the garden;
He comes not to die on the tree,
To purchase for rebels a pardon,—
O, no; glory,
Bright glory, environs him now.” SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.2

The glory of Christ is light above the brightness of the sun: for of the New Jerusalem it is written: “The city had no need of the sun, ... to shine in it: for ... the Lamb is the light thereof.” SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.3

But when Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, he comes not alone in his own glory, but also in the glory of “all the holy angels.” And when of only one angel it is said that “his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow” (Matthew 28:3), what must be the glory of the scene where are all the holy angels resplendent—“ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” “an innumerable company”! SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.4

Yet when our Saviour comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, he comes not only in his own glory and in the glory of all the holy angels resplendent. Surely that would be “great glory;” but that is not all,—“O, no; glory,”—he comes also “in the glory of his Father.” Matthew 16:27. And the glory of his Father is, of course, far above the brightness of the sun; indeed, of the heavenly city, in the same connection as previously quoted, it is said that “the city had not need of the sun, ... to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it.” SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.5

Therefore it is written that “the Son of man... shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26. SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.6

What a scene then awaits the eyes of those who are watching and waiting for the coming of the Lord,—the glory of all the holy angels, the glory of Christ above that of all the angels, and the glory of his Father also above all—all combined and intermingled in one heaven-covering scene of indescribable splendor! SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.7

And what will it be, to be there that day! And upon those who are prepared to see it, and to behold it, with joy, what can possibly be the effect, other than so to ravish them, so to fill them with perfect ecstasy, that they shall be literally translated? SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.8

And, wo worth the day! what can possibly be its effect upon those who are not prepared to see it in that day?—Plainly only that which is described,—so all-searching in its power, so all-terrifying in its splendor, that even a mountain to fall upon them to hide it, will be a relief. SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.9

But to all who are waiting and watching for him the scene will be as beautiful and joyous as it will be glorious. Not only will his glory cover the heavens because of his majesty; but the earth will be full of his praise because of his beauty and the joy of all who behold it. Habakkuk 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:10. SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.10

Thus “the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when” this our glorious “Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” SITI May 31, 1899, page 2.11

Then too, and thus, in the light of that all-pervading glory, “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever;” yea, “there shall the righteous” even “shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Daniel 12:3; Matthew 13:43. SITI May 31, 1899, page 3.1

So he comes. He comes soon. For “he which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.” SITI May 31, 1899, page 3.2

And let every heart respond, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”—A. T. Jones, in Review and Herald. SITI May 31, 1899, page 3.3