The Test of Time
The word “advent” refers to the arrival of an important person, event, or development and, in the highest sense, it calls to mind the glorious return of the Master of the universe, Jesus Christ.
The successful planning of any significant event involves quite a comprehensive process - the more important the person and the more exalted the event, the greater the preparation needed. The inauguration of the presidents of nations, the coronation of kings of monarchies, and the installation of new governments are all examples of momentous events of great magnitude. Yet their majesty is pale when compared to the eternal glory surrounding the Lord’s great second advent.
As a people whose name makes direct reference to the most eagerly awaited event in history, how significant it is that our entire experience revolves around preparing for this uniquely singular moment. Proper preparation for the Master’s advent requires not only outward demonstration - it calls for thorough inward transformation. The Lord is not merely concerned that good actions be carried out by obedient children; His penetrating eyes actually see whether our inner thought patterns are truly reflecting the purest of motives based on the eternal principle of love. The deep spiritual change that needs to take firm root in beings naturally afflicted by the plague of sin is remarkable indeed.
Prophecy is the scheduled unfolding of human history. It maps out key landmarks along the path of time, that we may gain a proper perspective as to where we currently stand. Without this compass, how readily we could end up floating into uncharted waters, adrift without anchor in a sea of Babylonian confusion!
“Unto the Son [the Father] saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8). “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face” (Psalm 89:14). The kingdom of grace is soon to be eclipsed by the kingdom of glory. Our just God will arise to vindicate His downtrodden law and will execute judgment upon the violators of it. Prophecy points to that; we are familiar with those texts. Yet it is also true that God’s justice has a twin sister, mercy. This vital quality of God’s character also flourishes within the veil of the Most Holy: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps” (Psalm 85:10-13).
In considering the more alarming aspects of prophecy - the sharp curves and dangerous cliffs in the road ahead - it is tempting to get bogged down in the negative and feel overwhelmed. Just as traffic engineers assign caution signs to mark out the upcoming perils in the pathway, the Lord in His wisdom has graciously issued informative flags of warning. These are designed to help us but not to stifle our joy in the Lord. Our task is a vibrant, tremendously positive one; our opportunities in the Lord’s vineyard are virtually numberless.
Let us view with eager anticipation the advent of our Lord and allow that imminent fact to sustain us in the mounting battles of life. Wonderful experiences await us if we take active, eager part in the glorious scenes to conclude earth’s history. The spirit of service can animate and energize us when we focus wholeheartedly on the glory of our Master’s business. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29). Every one of us has the privilege of a unique place and calling - and “who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)?