FACT OF HIS COMING

[353]The reasons why we should expect the Lord’s second coming are numerous, but unless we call these to mind, even though we once knew them, we overlook their importance.  If we have never known them, then an examination of these reasons is satisfying to the hungry soul.  Reason should always be employed in the examination of Scriptural questions.  Sound reasoning and the Scriptures are necessarily in accord.  “Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 1:18) As our vision of the divine plan enlarges, we can see a reason and a Scripture for every step and every development in the divine arrangement.

[354]The Scriptures thus far examined prove conclusively that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead that he might be the redeemer of mankind; that he ascended on high and presented the value of his human sacrifice in behalf of man, and that at some time all men must have an opportunity to receive the benefit of his great sacrifice. (1 Timothy 2:5,6) If mankind in general is to be benefited by the Lord’s sacrifice after coming to a knowledge of that fact, then it follows that there must be some relationship established between the world of mankind and the Lord Jesus in order that the world might be brought to a knowledge of the arrangement of Jehovah and brought back into harmony with God.  If, as the Scriptures declare, God formed the earth for man’s habitation, that he made it not in vain, and that the earth abideth forever; and if, according to the promise to Abraham, through the seed, the Christ, a blessing shall come to all mankind, it follows that the Lord must establish an order of things in the earth that man might enjoy the things which God intended for him to have, and that he must be present to establish such a righteous order on earth.

[355]But the student is not left to theory nor conjecture.  The Scriptural evidence is given in such abundance that all doubt is forever removed.  God’s Prophet long ago foretold the coming of a mighty one and said that this Mighty One should have a government of righteousness; that “his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace; of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end”. (Isaiah 9:6,7) An ‘everlasting Father’ presumes that there shall be some offspring who will have everlasting life.  Hence this promise indicated that a government would be established wherein man would be granted the privilege of life everlasting.

[356]As we have heretofore observed, Jehovah made a covenant with the nation of Israel, to the exclusion of all other nations.  He gave them a law to shield them from the influences and machinations of the adversary and to lead them to Christ, their great Messiah.  The Jews as a nation did not keep this law, because they were imperfect; but some of their rulers were especially wicked.  The time came when God said