The Present Truth, vol. 4
February 16, 1888
“Object of Christ’s Coming” The Present Truth 4, 4.
E. J. Waggoner
We have now established to points beyond controversy. First, that Christ will come again (John 14:1-3; Hebrews 9:28); and second, that his second coming will be as literal as the first (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7), the only point of difference being that it will be more glorious (Matthew 24:27; 25:31). We say that these points have been established beyond controversy, because we have read them directly from the Bible, in words so plain that a child could not misunderstand them. They need no interpretation to make them plainer. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.1
But if the Lord is indeed coming again, it must be for some purpose; he must have some object in view. And if he was so particular to tell us of his coming, and to urge us to prepare for that great event, it must be that he has not left us in ignorance as to its object. We shall find that the Scriptures are very clear upon this point also. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.2
The words of Christ himself demand our first attention. We have quoted the promise of Christ’s coming found in John 14:1-3. That promise also contains the reason: “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.” He is coming, then, to take all his followers to himself. Those who mourned at the thought of having him apart from them, will then once more enjoy his presence. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.3
Besides this, there is something else. Paul comforted the Thessalonian brethren in their tribulation with the thought that God himself could give them rest, and this rest he said they would receive “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, and flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8. With these two texts agree the words of Christ: “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.” Matthew 16:27; and these: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.4
These texts show plainly enough the object of Christ’s second coming. It is to take his people to themselves, and to take vengeance on the wicked. This latter part we will pass by for the present, and consider the promise to the disciples. From the words of Christ we would naturally conclude that there is no other way for his people to be with him except by his coming. “I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” The conjunction “that” denotes purpose, and is equivalent to “in order that.” When we read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), we understand that belief in Christ is the only way by which we can avoid perishing. And so when we read the promise of Christ to his disciples, we understand that if Christ were not to come, his disciples could not be with him. Indeed, if it were otherwise,-if the disciples could be with Christ without his coming for them,-what force or comfort would there be in his promise? For the only words of comfort that he had for them were that he would come to take them to himself. Moreover, we cannot imagine Jesus making an unnecessary promise; but if the disciples could be with him without his coming, he, of course, knew it, and therefore made a promise which was entirely useless. From this text, then, we must conclude that Christ’s disciples are not yet with him, for his coming is still in the future. We call the reader’s attention to other texts which confirm this conclusion. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.5
Paul exhorts us to set our affection on things above and says: “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4. Note the adverb “then.” It specifies the time when the saints will appear in glory; it is when Christ appears. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.6
The apostle Peter gives instructions to the elders of the churches, exhorting them to labor faithfully, and says for their encouragement: “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4. The report is sure, but they are not expected before Christ comes. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.7
Again he says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5. The saints are kept by the power of God unto salvation; but the salvation is not to be given until the last time. Or, as Peter expresses it still more plainly in the 13th verse of the same chapter: “Be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” PTUK February 16, 1888, page 50.8
In the third chapter of his second epistle to Timothy, the apostle Paul speaks of the prevailing degeneracy of the last days, and recommends the Bible as the only thing that will thoroughly furnish men to good works. He then continues: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick [living] and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:1, 2. Hear, then, we find with the judgment is to take place; in connection with the coming of Christ. But if the dead are not judged until Christ comes, it necessarily follows that they do not receive any reward until that time. And this is exactly what the Saviour said, as quoted from Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 51.1
The apostle continues his exhortation to Timothy, and says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8. The Judge is to give crowns at that day, says Paul. At what day? Why, at the day when he judges the living and dead, “at his appearing and his kingdom.” Peter told the elders that they should receive their crown at the appearing of the chief Shepherd, and Paul says that all who love his appearing shall receive their crowns at the same time. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 51.2
Paul says, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” He had reached the close of his life, and was about to be “offered” as a sacrifice to the truth. He felt that his life-work had been faithfully done. Did he therefore expect to immediately enter upon his reward? No; he was sure of a crown, but he knew that it would not be given until the appearing of Christ. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 51.3
We have seen that when Christ comes he will be accompanied by all the holy angels. Matthew 25:31. The work which the angels have to do is described in Matthew 24:31: “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” And this agrees with the words of the psalmist: “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Psalm 50:4, 5. By what means the saints are gathered to be with Christ, will be considered in another article. PTUK February 16, 1888, page 51.4
E. J. WAGGONER.