What God Hath Said on the Second Coming of Christ and the End of the Present Age: Part 10

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 7
In the seven addresses to the churches, these are searching words in the midst of much outward profession – “Hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:2525But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:25)). And again, “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:33Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)). And again, “Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou halt, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:1111Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)). Woe be to the carnal worldly professor. who sets light by these solemn warnings, so suited to the state of the church. during its seven-fold history, of the things that are now. In Revelation 4 things are revealed that will take place after these – “I will show thee things that must be hereafter,” or after these (Rev. 4:11After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. (Revelation 4:1)). And then, in blissful vision, in Revelation 4 and 5, the redeemed are seen gone from the earth, and seated around the glorified Lamb.
Revelation 6 to 19 contain the words of the Spirit of God as to the end of the present age, the church being at that time taken to be with the Lord. “Then sets in the great and terrible day of the Lord. Peace is taken from the earth that they should kill one another” (Rev. 11:44These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Revelation 11:4)). Who can describe the terrors of that fearful day!
I do not go into the detail of the woes and judgments of this day of vengeance, answering to all the prophets have said, and all the passages we have read, in the words of Jesus, as to this time of great tribulation, such as never was – no, and never will be again. More gifted servants of the Lord have written on these things.
I may just remark, in perfect keeping with every other part of Scripture. the whole scene becomes Jewish in character during this day of wrath. Satan is cast down to the earth in Revelation 12 and persecutes the Jewish remnant. In Revelation 13 Satan is worshiped, and the head of the Roman Empire, to whom Satan gives his power, is worshiped. (Rev. 13:3-83And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:3‑8)). In Revelation 17 the ecclesiastical apostacy, having lost her temporalities in the empire. now in her last most blasphemous character, sits upon the beast; that is, guides the imperial head in its last acts of wickedness. The Roman Empire which was, and is not, shall again appear in its most terrible character. Ten kings are seen confederate with the imperial head; and as the Roman people formed the empire, when it was, so assuredly they shall be again. It would seem, however, not by conquest; for the ten kings or kingdoms give their power to the beast. The reconstructed empire for a time carries the whore; but being infidel at heart, throws her off, and the ten kingdoms which will exist in that day “hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire” (Rev. 17:1616And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16)). Revelation 18 is occupied with a description of her burning.
The church having been with the Lord from Revelation 6 now returns with the Lord in Revelation 19. The full number of the first resurrection being completed in the beginning of Revelation 20, then takes place the millennium, or thousand years’ rest. with Christ. The rest of the dead live not until this thousand years’ rest is completed. During this thousand years, every promise of blessing to this earth will be fulfilled – Satan bound – sin not allowed, but immediately judged. Then comes the end. Satan is loosed a little while; and then the great judgment of the dead takes place (Revelation 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15)). And this over, the eternal state of inexpressible blessedness sets in – new heavens and new earth,
Where God shall shine in light divine.
In glory everlasting.
I will conclude with the last closing sounds of the words of the Lord Jesus on this solemn subject: – “Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22:77Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7)). “And behold I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:1212And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)). “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come. Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)).
(Continued from page 251).
(Concluded).