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Why the Great Disappointment?
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it that future, immortal kingdom in which “all dominions shall serve
and obey him.”
Daniel 7:27
.
The expression “kingdom of God” designates both the kingdom
of grace and the kingdom of glory. The apostle says: “Let us there-
fore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace.”
Hebrews 4:16
. The existence of a throne implies the
existence of a kingdom. Christ uses the expression “the kingdom of
heaven” to designate the work of grace upon the hearts of men. So
the throne of glory represents the kingdom of glory.
Matthew 25:31,
32
. This kingdom is yet future. It is not to be set up until the second
advent of Christ.
When the Saviour yielded up His life and cried out, “It is fin-
ished,” the promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was
ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the
promise of God, was then established.
Thus the death of Christ—the event which the disciples looked
upon as the destruction of their hope—was that which made it forever
sure. While it brought a cruel disappointment, it was the proof that
their belief had been correct. The event that had filled them with
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despair opened the door of hope to all God’s faithful ones in all ages.
Intermingled with the pure gold of the disciples’ lave for Jesus
was the base alloy of selfish ambitions. Their vision was filled with
the throne, the crown, and the glory. Their pride of heart, their thirst
for worldly glory, had led them to pass unheeded the Saviour’s words
showing the true nature of His kingdom, and pointing forward to His
death. These errors resulted in the trial which was permitted for their
correction. To the disciples was to be entrusted the glorious gospel
of their risen Lord. To prepare them for this work, the experience
which seemed so bitter had been permitted.
After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples on the way
to Emmaus, and, “expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the
things concerning himself.” It was His purpose to fasten their faith
upon the “sure word of prophecy” (
Luke 24:27
;
2 Peter 1:19
), not
merely by His personal testimony, but by the prophecies of the Old
Testament. And as the very first step in imparting this knowledge,
Jesus directed the disciples to “Moses and all the prophets” of the
Old Testament Scriptures.