Stanford Chambers (1877-1969)

(Reprint from the December 1919 Word & Work)

     It is not popular in these days to believe in the Lord’s return to the earth, much less to be looking for Him, notwithstanding the New Testament is full of references to His reappearing and more space is given to that subject than to any other save perhaps one. With those who really believe the Bible therefore the fact of the Lord’s coming again is settled. He is coming. Jesus Himself said, “I will come again.” Angels said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.” Paul said, “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven.” James said, “Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” Peter said, “We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude said, quoting Enoch, “Behold the Lord came with ten thousand of his holy ones;” and John said, “Amen, come, Lord Jesus.”

     Not only is the fact of our Lord’s coming made emphatic in the Scriptures, but also that He may come at any time. Let a few passages refresh our minds. “Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching; . . . Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Luke 12 :35- 40. “Therefore, be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 2 4 :44. “Take heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. . . . Watch therefore: for ye know not when the Lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 12:33-37. “So then let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6. The import of the repeated “Watch and be ready” is that it will mean irreparable loss to all who are found in any other attitude. He who is not looking for Jesus to come is treading on dangerous ground as regards his own welfare and is lending his influence in favor of that evil servant who “shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth, and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants and shall eat and drink with the drunken,” and in favor of the mockers who shall be saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” and who consequently are walking after their own lusts. 2 Pet. 3:3. It is very evident that if such characters realized that the Lord may come at any time their conduct would be very different.

     How sad to think that numbers of professors are today truly represented by that evil servant and by the mockers. And what a plight will be theirs! Dear friend, will you be found in such a plight? If Jesus were to come today, would you be in great embarrassment and utter dismay? Are you doing things you would not want to be doing when Jesus comes? Are you saying things you would not want to be saying when Jesus comes? Are you going where you would not want to be found when Jesus comes? Brother preacher, teacher, exhorter, you who would be a helper of others, do you realize how in the Scriptures the truth of the Lord’s coming enforces every other truth and duty enjoined therein? And are you who appreciate the divine wisdom of it making the same use of that truth? Would you strengthen faith? then listen: “Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jno. 14:1-3. Would you exhort someone to repent? “Repent and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus, whom the heavens must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets of old.” Acts 3:19-21. “Repent therefore or else I come to thee quickly.” Rev. 2:16. “Remember therefore * * * * and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come to thee as a thief.” Rev 3 :3. Does someone lack courage to confess Jesus as Lord? “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”

     Are you having to contend against self-will that prevents obedience to the gospel? Recall, “at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming lire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” II Th. 1 :7,8. Does carelessness hinder the resurrection life? “If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. Col. 3:1-4. Is there need of a purifying hope and one that will anchor the soul? “Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior Christ.” Titus 2 :13. “We know that if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. And every one that hath this hope set on him purified himself, even as he is pure.” Jno. 3 :2,3. Is there need of patience in these trying times “Ba patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. * * * Be ye also patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord it at hand.” Jas. 5:7.8. “Inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. 4:13. Do elders need stimulating to careful shepherding of the flock? “Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight * * * making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.” I Pet 5 :2-4. Does a preacher need inspiration for faithful presentation of the truth in these days when people have itching ears and will not endure the sound doctrine, but heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts? “I charge thee in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word.” II Tim. 4:1-2.

     Is there concern about those who have fallen asleep? “Christ the first fruits, then they that are Christ’s at his coming.” I Cor. 15:23. “For the Lord, himself shall descend from heaven * * * and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive” etc. I Th. 4 :18. Does some on fail to see the import of the Lord’s Supper?” For as often as ye eat this bread and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.” I Cor. 11:26. Is there carelessness and irregularity in regard to the assembly of the saints? “Not forsaking our own assembling together as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day drawing nigh.” “For yet a very little while and he that cometh shall come and shall not tarry.” Heb. 10:25,37. Since the Holy Spirit has seen the need of enforcing His exhortations with the truth of the Coming of our Lord, let those who would declare the whole counsel of God learn to do likewise.

-Stanford Chambers, at the time was  the preacher for the 7th & Camp Church of Christ in New Orleans, LA