In several issues of our Christian Truth periodical we have had occasion to review the hope of the Lord's coming in its relevancy to current events. World problems are increasing, and there are forebodings of coming trouble. The Word of God has told us that men's hearts will fail them for fear. There will be distress among nations, with perplexities; but amid all the confusion there is a calm, a settled assurance for the child of God who is waiting and watching for the Lord. The end of all things is at hand, and we need to be sober and watch unto prayer.
When the Lord Jesus went up to heaven, the heavenly guests (Acts 1:1010And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (Acts 1:10)) said that the same Jesus will come again; and early Christians eagerly looked for His return. In those days the hope of the Lord's return was directly connected with knowledge of salvation—the turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven.
The parable of the ten virgins explained that before long the Christian profession would relax and cease to anticipate His return. They all slumbered and slept—the wise and the foolish alike—and before long Christians settled down in the world so that the once-cherished hope was all but forgotten. One may search in vain through many centuries treated of in Church History to find even faint glimmers of hope through the long dark night. Christianity became an established system in the world, with worldly aspirations; and the word of the Lord, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world," was forgotten.
But the Lord who was faithful to His word sent forth that midnight cry to revive the hope of His coming: "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps." Christendom had sunk down to one of its lowest ebbs when the cry was made. Those who had slumbered and slept, and many mere professors, began to trim their lamps. This brought on an awakening that shook the great profession and turned many from their careless ways; prayer meetings were frequented, and meetings were held for teaching of the coming of the Lord. It began to be a hope once more. Concurrent with the revival of the hope of His coming was the truth of the heavenly calling of the Church. This caused more separateness of walk, and the Lord was honored. This began less than 200 years ago; but, alas! many who once embraced the bright hope have since relapsed into earthly ways, and have ceased to watch. Did not the Lord say, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch"?
God in His grace revived the precious truth for us in these last days so that we may understand His ways with the Church, with Israel, with the nations, and His coming reign when He will rule from the river to the ends of the earth. All things will serve His might, and He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. All of God's purposes concerning the Son of man will be accomplished in minute detail. But we are living in days when the truth is being fast let go, and the love of many has grown cold. Many who once believed and taught the coming of the Lord as an imminent hope have given it up. And many have attacked the truth and belittled faithful servants of Christ. It is in this light that we send forth these papers as a defense of Dispensationalism. May the Lord keep the feet of His saints and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die.
Paul Wilson