attention to
his own attempts at world improvement, and establish his own authority
as ruler over this age. Expectation along the God-appointed lines must
be abandoned, for the most part, before humanity can be federated, and
religious institutions be made to co-operate in the Satanic program.

This vital key-truth of the imminent return of Christ was, therefore,
first discredited, and then followed by an attack upon the deity of the
Son of God and His sacrificial death; which attack is ever increasing,
and must increase to the very end. The body of truth concerning the
Lord's return is so extensive that there have always been some humble
and devout souls who have dared to believe His promises, and thus the
real Church, to some extent, her watch has been keeping.

The mighty tool in Satan's hands for the destroying of the hope of
Christ's coming has been a simple one: zealous souls have been found
who, ignoring the statements of Scripture, would attempt to fix the day
of His coming. Then, as their prophecy failed, the world and many in the
Church have laughed them to scorn. Unfortunately they came to laugh also
at the very promise of God, saying, "Where is the promise of his
coming?" and in so doing they have fulfilled some of the very things
that are predicted for the end of the age: "Knowing this first, that
there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts (desires), and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for
since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of creation" (II Pet. 3:3, 4). Thus Satan's authority is being
established.

The exact time of Christ's return has not been revealed; nor will it be
announced by a prophet. Nevertheless, the "children of light and the
children of the day" "are not in darkness that that day should overtake
them as a thief" (I Thes. 5:4,5). It is their privilege to rejoice in
every promise of His coming, and to recognize every new indication of
His nearness, as eagerly as the betrothed awaits her beloved. The true
believer's glory, as well as his union with loved ones in Christ, is
imminent, and by faith he can look beyond the days of the earth's
greatest anguish, and, seeing the triumph of all blessedness, he can
rejoice in the hope of His Lord's coming, and be praying, "Even so,
come, Lord Jesus."

It is, therefore, impossible to know how much of time yet remains for
the gathering out of the Bride and the deve