Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 100:397 (Jan 1943)
Article: World Evangelism and the Second Advent
Author: H. A. Ironside

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BSac 100:397 (Jan 43) p. 83

World Evangelism and the Second Advent

H. A. Ironside

Our attention has often been directed to the question of the disciples when they approached the Lord toward the expiration of the forty days of His presence among them following His glorious resurrection. Having in mind the promises made through the Old Testament prophets, they inquired, “Wilt Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” The Lord Jesus did not reprove them for what some might have called their carnal conception of the kingdom. He did not tell them, as some have taught, that all the promises to Israel nationally were cancelled because of their failure as a people to recognize their Messiah when He came among them in lowly grace. He did not announce that the only kingdom they could ever expect would be that which was to be set up in the hearts of believers. But He replied, saying, “It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power”; and then He added, “But ye shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem and in Judaea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8, marginal reading). In so speaking He laid down His program for His disciples during all the years of His absence. Like the nobleman in the parable, He has gone to a far country, even to the Father’s house, to receive for Himself a kingdom and to return. When He comes back again, that kingdom will be manifested in power and glory, and not only Israel but all the world will be brought into subjection to His benevolent yet righteous sway.

In the meantime, our responsibility as Christians is to go

BSac 100:397 (Jan 43) p. 84

into all the world with the glad message of salvation purchased by the blood of the Cross and freely offered to all men everywhere who will put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Hope of His second advent, instead of proving a hindrance to gospel testimony, as some have insisted it would, is rather the strongest motive possible for sending the message far and wide, and seeking the completion of the body of Christ by winning those who are to be saved and thus added to the number who will be caught up to meet the Lord when He returns.

Strangely enough, one of the greatest objections that many evangelically inclined ministers and church workers bring against preaching the premillennial coming of the Lord is that it will cut the nerve of missions. Over and over again one has heard it said that when people get occupied with prophecy and concerned about the second coming of Christ, they lose all interest in winning souls and are more disposed to quibble ove...

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