VER. 37-39. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 585.
- mentioned did, especially that of the Jews, whose destruction was therefore speedy and at once, but in a long tract of time grew up gradually unto its height; so he will destroy it in like manner. And therefore, although he hath set his hand unto that work, and _ begun the execution of his judgments on the antichristian state in some degree, yet as to the utter destruction of it by those plagues which shall befall it “in one day,” he is still 6 épydmevos, he that is looked for, “ he that is to come.”
(2.) Christ is 6 épxéuevos with respect unto his coming at the last day unto judgment. This is known and confessed, and the busi- ness of his coming therein is the prayer of the whole church, Rev. xxi. 20. And it is an article of faith, whose nature we have described on chap. vi. 2.
It may be now inquired, with respect unto whether of these comings it is said here “he shall come,” that he is 6 é¢yéwevos. It is generally referred by interpreters unto his last advent, at the day of judgment. I doubt not but that also is included, but I dare not exclude the other comings mentioned, as things which were princi- “pally suited unto the relief of the church under its distress. For unto every state of the church there is a coming of Christ suited and accommodated unto their condition, whereby their faith is kept in continual exercise of desires after it. This was the life of faith under the old testament, as to his coming in the flesh, until it was accomplished. This faith, after his resurrection, they lived on, though but for a short season, until he came in the power of his Spirit, and his miraculous operations, so to “convince the world of sin, righte- ousness, and judgment.” Nor do I understand how “the just can live by faith,” without a continual expectation of the coming of Christ in a way suited to the sufferings and deliverance of his church in that season. For instance, the state was such now with those Hebrews, that if an end were not put unto it, or the days were not shortened, no flesh among them could have been saved, as our Saviour speaks, Matt. xxiv. 22. In this state the church looked for such a coming of Christ as should work out their deliverance; and he came accordingly, as we have showed. Afterwards, the earth
was filled with the blood of saints and martyrs, by the power of the Roman empire. In this state those that were slain, and those that were alive, appointed unto death, cried, “ How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” They exercised faith also in this word, that it was but “a little while, and he that shall come will come;”’ which he did accordingly. And the case is the same with those that suffer under the antichristian apostasy: they live, pray, and believe, in the expectation of the appearance of the brightness of that coming of Christ wherewith the man of sin shall be consumed;
586 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X.
and although it seems to tarry, they wait for it. This is “the faith and patience of the saints.”
Wherefore, the end for which this coming of Christ is proposed unto the church being the supportment and encouragement of their souls unto faith and patience, a respect must be had unto such a coming as is suited to their relief in their present state and condi- tion. And this unto these Hebrews was then ér1 wixpov Soov ooy in a literal sense. So it is to be accommodated unto all other states of the church. And therein the consideration of the coming of Christ at the last day, unto the final and eternal judgment, ought not to be omitted. This is that anchor and great reserve of believers in all their distresses and sufferings, when all appearance of deliverance in the world absolutely ceaseth, to betake themselves unto this, that there is a day approaching “ wherein God will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained.” That the Lord Christ shall assuredly come unto that judgment is that which they principally resolve their satisfaction into. See 2 Thess. i. 6-10.
Obs. II. It is essential unto faith to be acted on the promised com- ing of Christ, to all that look for his appearance.
Obs. III. There is a promise of the coming of Christ suited unto the state and condition of the church in all ages.
Obs. IV. The appearing delay of the accomplishment of any of these promises requires an exercise of the faith and patience of the saints.
Obs. V. Every such coming of Christ hath its appointed season, beyond which it shall not tarry.
Obs. VI. This divine disposition of things gives a necessity unto the continual exercise of faith, prayer, and patience, about the com- ing of Christ.
Obs. VII. Although we may not know the especial dispensations and moments of time that are passing over us, yet all believers may know the state in general of the church under which they are, and what coming of Christ they are to look for and expect. So is it with us who live under the antichristian state, which Christ in his ap- pointed time will come and destroy. :