The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

XIV. Uplifted Gaze of the Apostolic Church

The early attitude of the apostolic church is aptly epitomized in the graphic words of the opening chapter of Acts: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” Acts 1:11. This is uttered not for rebuke but for explanation, and expressed the primitive uplook of the church. The Saviour has ascended. The great High Priest has passed out of sight within the heavens and the angel spokesmen say, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Verse 11. This is the earliest postascension announcement of the gospel of the advent hope which at the first was spoken of by the Lord Himself when He said, “If I go ..., I will come again.” John 14:3. Now it is confirmed by angels and reiterated by apostles and seers, until the last page of Revelation declares, “Surely I come quickly.” Revelation 22:20. PFF1 162.2

Belief in the second advent, the crowning event in redemption, constitutes the crowning article of the Christian faith. Added to Christ’s sinless life, His vicarious, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection, there follows His mediatorial priesthood in the heavens. And to the inspired declaration, “We have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14), is added the inseparable truth, “Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time with out sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). PFF1 163.1

The apostolic church believed, then, that a vital part of the provision for redemption is that, having entered into the heavenly sanctuary to make intercession for us, He was to come forth at the last day to gather His saints, as the crowning act of redemption. And the attitude of the men of Galilee became the permanent attitude of the primitive church of the first century-waiting “for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10. But while the early Christians waited for the return of their Lord, they did not sit in idleness; they had a program of action, as a modern writer says. PFF1 163.2

“These first century Christians were in training for life in a new world. Joy in the Lord of heaven and earth quite overcame anxiety about the cessation of one kind of life and the beginning of another.... Awaiting the end which they deemed a new beginning, they were constructively active serving their fellows, putting human need foremost and thrusting property far down the scale in value.” ¹⁸ PFF1 163.3

This early advent expectancy is forcefully set forth by Latourette: PFF1 163.4

“To many of the early disciples, perhaps to the overwhelming majority, the early return of their Lord was an inspiring hope. That return would mean the victory of Christ. Right would prevail and God’s will would be fully done. Of that they had no doubt. A new heaven and a new earth would appear in which righteousness would dwell. But had any one suggested that this would come by slow stages and without the sudden irruption of divine judgment they would have looked at him in puzzled incomprehension. The gradual evolution of a perfect order would have been to them an entirely alien idea.” ¹⁹ PFF1 163.5