THE truth of the adage, that “the wish is father to the thought,” is strikingly illustrated in the scoffer’s question, “Where is the promise of his coming?” The coming of the Lord in judgment is not desired by such men―in fact the very opposite is their wish; and, therefore, they boldly cry, “Where is he promise of his coming?”
Can they be blind, or what? Where do they look for that promise?
Ah! that is just the point; they look to the wrong quarter.
They cast their eyes around, and say that “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” They judge by things seen; they appeal to creation; and, since the revolution of the seasons maintains its accustomed regularity, they assume that nothing extraordinary can happen.
They forget the Flood! or perhaps deride the idea of it. Yet their forgetfulness amounts to willful ignorance, as one day they shall discover.
But then, if they are wrong in thus regarding “things,” where else should they look?
They should listen to the Word of God.
And does it speak of the coming of the Lord? Yes, it has been said that that solemn event is mentioned once in every thirteen verses of the Bible. Could any event be more forced on one’s notice? And yet the scoffer of the last days asks, “Where is that promise?”
Only think, dear reader, that God has repeated over and over, in such a way as to convince any honest mind, that the Lord is coming again.
The earth has once been the scene of judgment, let the infidel scoff as he may, and the heaven and the earth, which now are, are reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
One judgment may prepare us for another―the first was by water, the second shall be by fire. In Noah’s day sin had, risen to a great height, and God interposed by that kind of judgment. Since then sin has further developed spite of all the restraints of civilization and of Christianity, so that the idea of this age sailing smoothly into the calm waters of a millennium is set aside as preposterous and vain.
Sin must be punished. God could not tolerate the old world, nor will He suffer forever with the present.
Hence, we read that “the day of the Lord will come.” That is fixed and decreed. It will come.
The scoffer may scoff, and the mocker, mock, but come it will.
The rationalist may ask when and how? He may reason from past long-suffering that such an evil is impossible, but come it will, and that as a thief in the night, for God will keep His word. That day, characterized by judgment, however long its duration, must come. Things cannot go on as they are. Sin, rebellion, crimes too shocking to detail, are increasingly polluting the very air we breathe, and is God, the Judge of all, to take no cognizance? Shall not He interpose?
The last days are the worst and most critical.
Reader, we live in serious times. But notice this, that “the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation!”
Why has God not yet interposed in judgment? Why has He suffered so long? Just because He is a Saviour! He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance!” Beautiful words in such a connection― “any”― “all!”
(1.) “Not willing that any should perish.”
(2.) “But that all should come to repentance.”
He throws the door wide open, and announces over the face of a doomed and guilty world the glorious fact that He seeks the good of all.
What a God!
Oh, sinner, enter that door! Soon, soon long-suffering must cease, else indifference to sin might be charged against God; soon, soon Mercy’s door must close, and stern Justice pronounce its verdict; soon, soon the blood of the Lamb, now so divinely efficacious for the worst and vilest, shall cleanse no more, and instead of pardon through its infinite merit, the wrath of God must fall for eternity on the guilty soul of man.
Now, remission through blood―then, rejection under judgment.
Now, salvation through faith in the Saviour―then, damnation on account of grace despised.
These are plain words, dear reader, but, pray let them speak to your heart.
You have but one soul―that lost, your case is utterly hopeless! ―one life―that wasted, you have no other! ―one Saviour―Him rejected, your only alternative is everlasting misery!
List not to the scoffer! there are none in hell.
Hearken unto God! Place yourself amongst the “any” who should not perish, and the “all” who should come to repentance. This is God’s way of escape.
J. W. S.