"THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9086, 21 June 1888, Page 6

"THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST."

PASTOR G. MULLER'S SECOND ADDRESS.

In the Lecture Hall of the Young Men's Christian Association rooms, last evening, Pastor G. Muller delivered the second of a series of addresses upon the " Second Coming of Christ." The attendance was again large, even exceeding that of the first evening, comfortably filling every part of the spacious hall, showing the dsep interest that is being taken in these addresses. Those present listened throughout with the greatest attention, and the remarks made and ideas enunciated appeared to make a great impression upon the hearers. There were again upon the platform, supporting Mr. Muller, Mr. W. Brakenrig, secretary of the Young's Men's Christian Assocfation, and the Rev. A. Carrick. The opening devotional exercises were conducted by Mr. W. Brakenrig, the Rev. A. Carrick leading in prayer. Pastor Muller said he received the truth of our Lord's second coming in July, 1829, and that since then he had earnestly preached it. To meet this second coming there was but one way, to put our trust in Christ as our Saviour. _ This truth had led him to found various institutions, and to circulate books and tracts containing these truths, and he had spent £217,000 sterling, and in addition had founded the greatest orphanage in the world. He said this merely to show what had been the effect of these truths upon himself. These truths inculcated the necessity of doing work for Jesus, not merely preaching ana teaching, but work to ameliorate the condition of those around us. What was the wealth, rank and power of this world in comparison with the inheritance awaiting us as faithful servants of God? Not only did this

inheritance mean a glorified body, but they would .be made like Christ in soul. The truth that Jesus was coming had strengthened him immensely. Pastor Muller then read from 11. Timothy, iii., that "Perilous times would come in the last days." The last days of the present dispensation were meant here. Of what , class was this written ? Of professed desciples, of Christ. To this state we were hastening on at the present. These men were exceedingly holy, but exceedingly worldly, and sinful; as the light increased, so would the darkness be manifest. It would not do, however, to despair or ask of what good was it to try to live as a servant of God if such a state of things were ■ coming. No, the smaller the number of God's children, the more necessary for them to bo more out and out decided for the Lord. This was the way he had felt, and what had led him to go throughout the world to do what he could to help on the cause of God, and do his little to stem the tide of advancing wickedness, and avert the evil days coming. Some of them might fancy these were mere fanatical ideas, but he assured them that he believed them to be truths of the greatest importance to them all. Another event—the fourth—that would attend the second coming of Christ, was the restoration of the Jews. When the decree of banishment went out to the Israelites, God also promised them He would remember them in mercy and bring them together again, and bless them with a great prosperity. The Jews would go back to their own country in an unconverted state, the Temple would be rebuilt, but they would again sink into a wretched state, and while in this desolation they would begin to see the enormity of their sins in crucifying Christ, repent, and become the holiest nation after their eyes had been opened, and they would carry the good tidings to the world. The 102 nd Psalm, beginning at the 12th verse, was here quoted. In these passages Israel meant literal Israel, and Zion the literal Zion. During all the past sixteen centuries there had not been so much interest felt in the Israelites as during the past century. All this indicated we were approaching the close of the dispensation, after which Johovah would build up Zion, and come in His glory. Deuteronomy xxx., verses 1-6, were read in confirmation of this. The clever men, self-called, although God calls them fools, sneered at the Bible ; but here was a thing they could not get over. God had predicted long before the event that the Jews were to be scattered among all nations, and become a byword among all nations. All over the world, in forty-two nations, he had found Israelitesit had all been fulfilled. But this despised race would become the mightiest and holiest nation in the world, and God's great instrument in going to all the corners of the world to bring men to the knowledge of God. At present there was but little appearance of this latter, but it would come about after they had repented of their wickedness; ana Palestine, that had been so long the most wretched land, would become the most flourishing. They heard from time to time of the Jews gathering in Palestine, but there was little in it. There were more Jews in London than in all Palestine. There were but few in Palestine at present, but he believed the promised blessing and glory would come. The Jews would be far more in number than ever they were in the times of David and Solomon, the time of their greatest prosperity. Israel had nevor been in a state of great spiritual prosperity. There had been good men amongst them, but as a nation they had never been in this state. Isaiah, xi., was here read from. The first part of the chapter alluded to the first coming of Christ the latter to His second coming, " when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." There was always an enmity between the ten tribes and the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, but this enmity would be put away when the Israelites were again gathered home. Then Judah and Benjamin would be at peace with their brethren. Zachariah, xii., xiii., and xiv. were reforred to as outlining this gathering of Israel, and the references to and comments on them closed the address. Pastor Muller, explaining these chapters, said that the nations would gather themselves against Israel round about Jerusalem, when they were in their greatest trouble. The nations would seek to rob the Israelites of their great wealth. But in that day would the Lord defend Jerusalem and destroy the nations. Pastor Muller said he had not a shadow of doubt that all this would come to pass, and it was as certain as if it had already taken place. But when this came to pass the Israelites would "mourn for Him whom they had pierced " and be in " great bitterness," but they would repent, and God would reconcile Himself to them, and they would be prospered, and Jehovah would fight against their enemies. Then would be the restoration of Israel and the second coming of Christ. This second coming would be on a particular day—a kind of gloomy day, neither dark nor light, but on a particular day-known to the Lord. On this day, in the evening, would be the coitaing, for "at eve it shall be light." Pastor Muller concluded by stating that he found he could not conclude his lectures by to-morrow night, and he had decided to give a fourth lecture on Friday night. Pastor Muller also said he would preach at the City Hall for the last time on Sunday night. The service was concluded by devotional exercises.