We have already examined the references to the second coming of the Lord in a series

of articles in Volume XIX-XXII, where every passage is given consideration, and the

conclusion is justified that there is not a reference to the second coming of the Lord,

outside the revelation of the mystery, that is not either a fulfillment of some O.T.

prophecy, or allied to one by the context. While therefore there is much doctrine in

Romans that is fundamental both to the church of the Acts, and to the new company

called after Israel were set aside in Acts 28:, it nevertheless stands to reason that

while Israel are set aside their hope would remain in abeyance. Ephesians speaks of "one

hope of His calling", and "one hope of your calling", and seeing that each calling has its

associated hope, it follows that it is a vital principle of interpretation that different

callings with their appropriate hopes be kept separate and distinct from each other.

In our last article we considered the fact that the hope that runs throughout the Acts,

and the hope that the epistles of the same period entertain, is the hope of Israel. It is true

that this hope has its heavenly, as well as its earthly sphere, but that is no justification for

making that heavenly sphere of Israel's hope the same as the "one hope" of the mystery.

Further light upon the hope of this Acts period is found in the verses that follow

Acts 1: 6, and to the consideration of this testimony we now address ourselves:--

One of the most natural things to do, whenever the second coming of Christ is before

the mind, is to conjecture whether it is possible to forecast the date of its advent. While

this may be natural, it is unscriptural, and consequently wrong.  The servant who

concluded that the Lord's coming was delayed, began to smite his fellowservant and to

drink with the drunken. The salutary attitude in view of the Lord's return is, surely, to

carry out his injunction and "occupy" till He comes, remembering that "Blessed is that

servant whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing" (matt. 24: 46).

Every now and again some one will arise who forecasts the date of the Lord's return,

and some will always be found who will, as a consequence, dispose of their business, and

wait the expected day.  It strikes the outside observer as strange that in such

circumstances a business should be sold: why should it not be given away? Of what use

would the proceeds be in that day? Again, if the nature of one's business is such that,

being assured of the nearness of the Lord's return, one would leave it, surely that is

sufficient reason for leaving it now, irrespective of "times and seasons". The Lord's own

instruction to His servants in view of His coming is not: "Give up your work", but

"Carry on", "Occupy".