Wisdom of the Ages: August Hope and a Promise

“The Promise of His Coming” in The Pentecostal Herald on August 11, 1897

The culminating promise of the New Testament is that of his second advent in power and great glory to gather his redeeming ones together, inaugurate his kingdom and reign universally on the earth. 

Ages passed before the promise of his first advent was fulfilled; and, as the fullness of time drew near for his earthly manifestation, faith in the fulfillment of promise and prophecy had well-nigh perished from the earth.  Ages have also come and gone since the promises of his second advent were made, and many are unbelievingly and tauntingly saying today, “Where is the promise of his coming?”  A general defection from the faith of his second advent is one of the signs, however, that “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”  “When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?” is a question propounded by himself, and indicating that such faith will be exceedingly rare.  A few devout Simeons and Annas will be awaiting here and there in eager expectation of his advent, but the majority of men and women will have lost all faith, if they ever had any, in the promise of his return.  Brethren, let us be not faithless, but believing.