 |  |
of that period when the curse shall be removed from the earth, and also the veil from the
face of all people, "beginning at Jerusalem".
It must be obvious to all that any system of interpretation that takes up the teaching of
the second coming without due regard to this consistent and far-reaching line of
witnesses, is of necessity liable to lead its exponents into tremendous mistakes.
We propose examining the N.T. references in much the same way as we have those of
the O.T., giving particular heed to two things:--
1.
Points of agreement with O.T. prophecy, and
2.
Points of departure from, or addition to, O.T. prophecy.
Not until we have so done can we feel safe in expressing our belief concerning many
features of this wondrous theme that are often taken for granted.
The N.T. fulfillment.
#8.
When the "any moment" coming was possible.
Matthew's Gospel.
pp. 143 - 145
Having reviewed the O.T. teaching concerning the second coming of the Lord, we
turn to the N.T. to observe how far its teaching is a confirmation of the O.T. prophecy,
and how far it adds to or departs from that which has been already revealed. We propose
to carry out this investigation in the following order: (1) The Gospels, (2) The Acts,
(3) The Epistles of the Circumcision, (4) The Revelation, (5) The Epistles of Paul,
(a) before Acts 28:, and (b) after Acts 28:
The four
Gospels.
Coming to the four Gospels, we find their witness divided as follows: (1) The
synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and (3) John. Our present paper is
devoted to the synoptics, particularly Matthew.
Just as creation of Adam and the dominion given to him necessitates the second
coming (see Psa. 8: and Heb. 2:), so the fact that Christ was "born King of the Jews"
calls for a crowning day in the future.
First let us deal with the following somewhat problematic passages:--
"But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye unto another, for verily I say unto
you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come"
(Matt. 10: 23).