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Promises of Christ’s Return
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a message to arouse His professed people and lead them to make
ready for the coming of the Lord.
This warning is brought to view in
Revelation 14
. Here is a
threefold message represented as proclaimed by heavenly beings
and immediately followed by the coming of the Son of man to reap
“the harvest of the earth.” The prophet saw an angel flying “in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue,
and people saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to
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him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
Revelation 14:6, 7
.
This message is a part of “the everlasting gospel.” The work of
preaching has been entrusted to men. Holy angels direct, but the
actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of
Christ on earth. Faithful men, obedient to the promptings of God’s
Spirit and the teachings of His Word, were to proclaim this warning.
They had been seeking the knowledge of God, counting it “better
than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show
them his covenant.”
Proverbs 3:14
;
Psalm 25:14
.
A Message Given by Humble Men
Had scholarly theologians been faithful watchmen, diligently
and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they would have known the
time. The prophecies would have opened to them the events about
to take place. But the message was given by humbler men. Those
who neglect to seek the light when it is within their reach are left in
darkness. But the Saviour declares, “He that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12
. To that
soul some star of heavenly radiance will be sent to guide him into
all truth.
At the time of Christ’s first advent the priests and scribes of
the Holy City might have discerned “the signs of the times” and
proclaimed the coming of the Promised One. Micah designated His
birthplace, Daniel, the time of His advent.
Micah 5:2
;
Daniel 9:25
.