The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die
John Stuart Mill · en
[388]The last-named class, in support of their contention, cite the
words of Jesus when he said: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man,
no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only". (Matthew 24:36) It is
assumed because he used these words that no one would ever know except
Jehovah. We should remember that Jesus spoke those words while he was
yet a man on the earth. He had not been glorified then. He did not say
that no one would ever know of the hour or the day of his coming. If we
conclude from these words that no man would ever know, we might as well
conclude that Jesus would never know, because he said at that time that
only the Father knew. Paraphrasing his words we note he said this: 'The
day of my coming no one now knows except my Father. Neither man nor
angel knows anything about it; nor do I even know,' At the same time,
his words implied that conditions would change, so that others would
know, because he said: "Watch therefore: for ye know not the hour your
Lord doth come". (Matthew 24:42) Why watch unless they would know when
the time would arrive? When Jesus arose from the dead he said: "All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth". (Matthew 28:18) He must
have known then the time of his coming, because now as the creature
divine everything was committed into his hands for the outworking of
God's plan. At the time of his appearing surely the angels of heaven
would know about it; and the day must come when the watchers would know.
[389]His last message to the disciples just before his ascension on
high clearly indicated a time coming when the watchers would know. He
said unto them: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons
which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power,
after that the holy spirit is come upon you." (Acts 1:7,8) Those who are
begotten of the holy spirit have the promise that the Lord will reveal
to them his great truths when due to be understood. (1 Corinthians
2:9,10) These are they that walk in the light, and for them the light
shines with increasing brilliancy unto the perfect day. In harmony with
this, St. Paul wrote: "Of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have
no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the
day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall
say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye,
brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4) Plainly the Apostle here tells the
followers of Jesus that if they are watching the things which the Lord
told them to watch, the day of the Lord will not come upon them
unawares, but they will mark the fulfillment of prophecy, and in the
light of its fulfillment they will discern the time of the presence of
the great King. Furthermore he says to them: "Ye are all the children of