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TOPIC: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks About Our Lord's Return (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 47. Tiptoe of Expectancy
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Tiptoe of Expectancy
A difficulty always shows that somebody is trying to do something. Action brings out the difficulties in the way. A question is an evidence of an awakening or awakened mind. Sleeping persons ask no questions, though often the question, or the way it is asked, tells how much awake, or how little, is the questioner's mind. There is nothing that gives such a good index to one's mental condition as the questions he asks, and the way he asks them. There is nothing commoner than asking questions, but nothing more uncommon or difficult than asking them skilfully and wisely.
As one comes to this Book of God, and studies carefully and prayerfully, his mind begins to bristle with questions. There are two sorts of questions, those implying doubt or criticism; and those seeking for information. When Gabriel told Zacharias of the birth of John, the startled priest practically said, "How can this be?" implying doubt, or rather, sheer unbelief. When Gabriel told Mary in Nazareth of God's plan for her, she practically said, "How shall this be?" asking for the method. It was a woman's natural question seeking more light as to how the thing would be done. [Note: Luk_1:18-20, Luk_1:34-36.] We want to be careful that our questions are always made, with an open mind, for information, never as expressing our doubt, or criticism, or rejection of what is said, when it concerns God's love or God's revelation.
And we should remember that our questions will never all be answered, at least not before our Lord returns. As quickly as a question is answered to our satisfaction a half dozen more take its place. And that process goes on endlessly. The questions will never all be answered. Questions are simply sign-boards on the road, marking our pathway up into the light. Some questions are best kept lying on the table for more light. Some day the gleam of light will come, leading the way out of every bit of bewildering thicket or woods. An honest question is a knock at the door for entrance into light. And it will always be true that "to him that knocketh it shall be opened." But one must learn persistence in knocking, and not go away simply because his knuckles get sore.
Now there is one question which has been a sore difficulty to many of us regarding our Lord Jesus' return. Some knuckles have become both sore and then hard through much knocking at this door. Yet the door opens. There is an answer. And it is full of soft light for one's heart. The question is this: How can the Book speak of the Coming being "near," when it is now nineteen centuries since the word was spoken?
The whole impression made by our run through the New Testament is that of eager expectancy. These men speaking and writing seem to be teetering upon the tiptoe of expectancy, and wanting us to be the same. Yet that was centuries ago. How can you keep on tiptoe that long, even supposing you were to live so long? Paul's letters are a-thrill with an expectancy which stays him and his followers up in the midst of sore suffering. Was he unduly swayed in his enthusiasm on this point? Some have thought so. Yet the Holy Spirit, who, without any doubt, was dominating Paul as he wrote, the Holy Spirit knew, of course.
In the beginning of the Patmos Revelation our Lord says, "The things which must shortly come to pass." [Note: Rev_1:1.] At the very end of it He says three times, "I come quickly." [Note: Rev_22:7, Rev_22:12, Rev_22:20.] And midway a voice comes breaking abruptly in between the sentences, "Behold, I come." [Note: Rev_16:15.] And you almost look up thinking to see some one. Our Lord Jesus is speaking from the glory-side here, and of course He knew that these centuries would run out before He did come. How do you explain it? It seems an unanswerable puzzle.
Some kind friends have tried to relieve the tension by telling us that a thousand years is as one day to the Lord, and two thousand years would be only two days. But the man in earnest feels that this is only playing with an honest question. A thousand years is not as one day to us. And this old message is for us. The Bible is a human book, put in human language, and into the human way of thinking, so that we humans can understand what God is trying to tell us.
Well, there is an answer to this question. It's a simple answer. Yet it is one that goes into one's heart, and makes it hush a bit, and then beat faster, and then send up a quick, yearning prayer. It was our Lord's purpose to return "quickly," and that these things "should shortly come to pass," in the plainest meaning which ordinary men see in these words. It was the burning desire of His heart that it should be so. If He could have had His way without hindrance, they would have come to pass, and He have returned long since. It was a possible thing that those early generations would have witnessed His return. It has always been a possible thing in every generation since, that these things would occur in that generation.