98 The Fundamentals 98, etc.). According to Paul (2 Thess. 1 and 2) the advent described by Daniel is not to an earth which is enjoying mil lennial peace, but it is “in flaming fire” to destroy an existing “Man of Sin” whose career is the culmination of the lawless ness already manifest and to continue until the personal com ing of Christ. According to our Lord Himself His return is to bring “the regeneration,” not the destruction of the world (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:28-30). But this rule of blessedness is preceded by judgments that come “as a snare on all the earth” (Luke 21: 29-36). According to Peter, “seasons of re freshing” and “the restitution of all things,” not annihilation of the globe, will come with the return of Christ (Acts 3:19- 21). According to John, the coming of Christ (Rev. 19) precedes the millennium. (Rev. 20.) However great the divergence of views among students of prophecy may seem to be, and in spite of the many varieties of opinion among the representatives of the two schools which have been mentioned in passing, the points of agreement are far more important. The main difference is as to the order, rather than as to the reality of events. The great body of believers are united in expecting both an age of glory and a personal return of Christ. As to many related events they differ; but as to the one great precedent condition of that coming age or that promised return of the Lord there is absolute harmony of conviction: the Gospel must first be preached to all nations (Matt. 24:14). The Church must continue to “make disciples of all the nations . even unto the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19, 20). This is therefore a time, not for unkindly criticism of fellow Christians, but for friendly conference; not for disputing over divergent views, but for united action; not for dogmatic as sertion of prophetic programs, but for the humble acknowledg ment that “we know in part;” not for idle dreaming, but for the immediate task of evangelizing a lost world.
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