We see, firstly, in this passage, how terrible mil be the circumstances accompanying the second advent of Christ. Our Lord tells us that '' there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars ; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity ; the sea and the waves roaring ; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for look- ing after those things which are coming on the earth : for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud.''
This is a singularly awful picture. It may not be easy perhaps to attach a precise meaning to every part of it. One thing however, is abundantly plsdn. The second coming of Christ will be attended by everything which can make it alarming to the senses and heart of man. If the giving of the law at Sinai was so terrible that even Moses said, " I exceedingly fear and quake," the re- turn of Christ when He comes to earth in power and great glory shall be much more terrible. — ^If the hardy Koman soldiers '' became as dead men," when an angel rolled the stone away and Christ rose again, how much greater will the terror be when Christ shall return to judge the world. No wonder that St. Paul said, " Know- ing the terrors of the Lord we persuade men." (Heb. xii. 21. Matt, xxviii. 4. 2 Cor. v. 11.)
The thoughtless and impenitent man may weU tremble when he hears of this second advent of Christ. What will he do when worldly business is suddenly stopped and the precious things of the world are made worthless P — What win he do when the graves on every side are open- ing, and the trumpet is summoning men to judgment ? — What will he do when that same Jesus whose Gospel he