Why does Christ Come?

Let us examine briefly the arguments presented by both post-millennialist and pre-millennialists, comparing them with the Word – and Plan of God.

The first (post-millennialist) expect that through the efforts of the Church, the world will be converted, and thus the millennial age introduced, at the close of which the Lord will come, wind up earthly affairs, reward believers and condemn sinners. That to convert the world, bind Satan, make “the knowledge of the Lord to fill the whole earth,” and “nations to learn war no more,” are the work of the Church without JESUS (presence), and in her present mortal condition. When she has accomplished this great and difficult task, Jesus comes to wind it up, and etc.

They have much Scripture, which taken disconnectedly, seems to favor this view. But even this, we believe, when God’s word and plan are looked at as a whole, will be found to favor the other view, viz., that Christ comes before the conversion of the world; that the Church is now being tried, and that the reward promised the overcomers is, that they shall share in that reign: “To him that overcomes will I give to sit with me in my throne.” Rev 3:21. “And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Rev 20:4.

There are two texts in particular used by our post-millennial brethren, to which we would refer: “This Gospel must first be preached in all the world for a witness. Then shall the end come.” They claim this to refer to the Gospel converting the world before the end of the Gospel age.

We pre-millennial believers claim, that witnessing to the world does not mean converting the world, but as it reads, to witness or testify.

This witness has already been given. In 1861, the Bible Societies’ reports showed that the Gospel had been published in every language of earth; not that all earth’s myriads had received it. No; not one in a hundred of the twelve hundred million have ever heard of the name of Jesus. Yet it has fulfilled the text – it has been a witness to every nation.

We understand that the object of the present witnessing is “To take out a people for His name” – the Church – who at Christ’s coming are united to Him, and receive His name. Rev 3:12.

The second text is, “Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool.” The thought generally gathered from this Scripture is, that in heaven God has a throne on which He sits continually, and that when “Christ sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,” He sat down also upon the same throne. This is a misconception. The throne of God referred to is not an ivory or golden seat, but refers to His supreme authority and rulership, for “Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool,” and Paul says, “God hath highly exalted Him [Christ], and given Him a name above every name.” He hath given Him authority above every other, next to the Father. If Christ sits upon a material throne until His enemies are made His footstool [all subdued], then, of course, He could not come until the millennium was fully inaugurated. But if it means the exalting to power, it would not interfere with His coming and subduing all things unto Himself.

To illustrate: King William is on the throne of Germany, we say, yet we do not refer to the royal bench, and as a matter of fact, he seldom occupies it. We mean that he rules Germany.

Right hand signifies the chief place, position of excellence or power, and the words of Jesus to Pilate agree with this thought: “Hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62. He will be on the right hand when coming, and remain at the right hand during the millennial age.

There are able arguments possible on both sides, yet both are not true. We propose, therefore, to take a glance at the general Plan of Salvation, to see which view is in harmony with it. In so doing, we shall find the relation and bearing of both the first and the second comings, and know where to locate.

First, then, Has God a plan?

All must agree that He has, although almost all are inclined to think and talk of His dealings as though He were dealing by a rule of chance, and governed entirely by circumstance. No; He that would condemn a man for building a tower without first counting the cost, shall He build and people a universe without counting the cost? No, brethren; “Known unto the Lord are all His ways from the beginning.” God has a plan, a purpose, and we know that “all His purposes shall be accomplished.”

But how shall we find that plan?

It is revealed to us in His word. “Search the Scripture,” as Paul says, “Compare Scripture with Scripture,” for “God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.”

We are too much inclined to ask What does my church say about any question, instead of What saith the Scriptures?

Too much theology studied, and the Bible not enough. With the thought, then, that “The Scriptures are able to make us wise,” that “the testimonies of the Lord are sure making wise the simple,” let us examine.

We will not here discuss the question, why evil was permitted. We take the fact which sickness, death, vice, and etc., make so plainly and painfully evident, viz., Evil exists. Its existence is attributed in Scripture to the devil. Evil continues because Satan’s power is continued. It will last throughout the present age, because “the devil is the prince [ruler] of this (present evil) world” [age]. He will continue its ruler as long as he can, or until he is bound. He cannot be bound until a stronger than he takes the control out of his hands.

God, of course, can control him; and of Jesus it is written, “All power in heaven and in earth is given unto me.”

But while Christ has all power, for wise purposes He has not made use of it, permitting evil to reign and measurably control the world, and permitting the devil to be “prince of this world,” or epoch. But the time is coming when “He shall take to Himself His great power, and reign,” exalting His Church, giving her “power over the nations,” so that instead of, as now, being “subject to the powers that be,” she shall “rule the nations.”

But when will He thus assume control?

We will address this question in our next post.