Why I Preach the Second Coming

In Short

This book presents a fervent argument for the doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Delivered as a formal address, it posits that the return of the Lord is the central thread of scripture, the essential resolution to the brokenness of the world, and the only hope for true, lasting peace. By examining prophetic figures, covenantal promises, and the state of the modern church, the text serves as both a theological defense and a devotional call to action, urging readers to live in active, expectant anticipation of the Bridegroom’s return.

The Story

The narrative arc of this work begins in the high heavens, where the divine plan for humanity is laid out, and descends into the turbulent theater of human history. It opens by establishing that the Second Coming is not an isolated event but the "prophetic climax" of a story that began in Genesis. The author uses biblical figures as archetypes to frame this progression: Jacob’s dream of a golden ladder reaching toward a glorious God signifies the promise of a future kingdom; Joseph’s rejection by his brothers, his exile to a foreign land, and his eventual return in glory to be acknowledged by them serves as a mirror for Christ’s own rejection, absence, and eventual revelation to Israel.

The argument then moves through the prophetic books of the Old Testament. Here, the author contrasts the vanity of man’s attempts at peace—such as the creation of political leagues or social engineering—with the reality of the coming divine intervention. The prophets, from Joel to Zechariah, are presented as messengers who warn of a world descending into darkness and chaos, which can only be illuminated by the sudden, fiery, and transformative presence of the Lord.

The trajectory shifts from the global to the personal and corporate. The author recounts the scene of Christ’s ascension, where the disciples are told that the "same Jesus" who left will return in like manner. This leads to an exploration of the Church’s role: she is not a body meant to rule the world now, but a bride awaiting her Bridegroom. The author critiques the contemporary church for seeking political power and societal reform, which he views as a drift into apostasy and infidelity.

The story reaches its crescendo in the final chapters, which focus on the "imminency" of the event. The author argues that because no predicted event remains to occur before the Lord comes to claim His Church, the return is a "any moment" possibility. The narrative concludes with a dramatic, real-time appeal to the audience, inviting them to abandon their worldly investments and join in the ancient, hopeful cry of the early believers: "Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus." The book ends with the image of a great assembly rising in unison, the sound of their collective voices serving as a final, desperate plea for the return of their Savior, effectively turning the reading experience into a performance of the very doctrine it espouses.

How It Unfolds

The divine blueprint The author roots the Second Coming in the fundamental structure of the Bible, asserting that this event is the most frequently recorded promise in scripture. He frames the current age as a "parenthesis" in time, a period of gathering a people rather than conquering the world.

The prophetic mirrors The text interprets the lives of patriarchs like Jacob and Joseph as living parables that foreshadow Christ’s suffering and his future triumph as King. These ancient stories serve to validate the author's claim that the Lord is bound by covenant to return and establish his rule.

The critique of man-made peace A sharp contrast is drawn between the "modern gospel" of social reform and the biblical reality of impending judgment. The author dismisses political efforts at world peace as futile attempts to build on a foundation of human sin.

The call to the bride The focus narrows to the identity of the Church, which the author describes as a bride waiting for her groom. He warns that by seeking comfort and influence in the present world, the Church has forgotten her primary duty to watch for the return of Christ.

The final plea The work culminates in the doctrine of imminency, the idea that the return of Christ is not a future date but a present possibility. The final moments of the book document a literal call to the audience, urging them to confirm their faith by vocally praying for that return.

The People

The central figure is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ, depicted in dual roles: as the suffering, high-priestly intercessor who currently sits at the right hand of God, and as the future, triumphant Lion of Judah who will physically return to earth. His character is defined by his absolute faithfulness to his promises. Standing in the way of this realization is the "modernist" or "false teacher," who denies the literal nature of the return and prioritizes worldly, social, or political solutions over spiritual ones. These figures are portrayed as having succumbed to "German rationalism" or worldly comfort, effectively abandoning the core tenets of the faith. The Church, as the corporate "bride," is the third primary figure. Her desire is meant to be directed entirely toward the coming Bridegroom, but she is currently portrayed as distracted, fragmented, and seduced by the "stranglehold" of worldly systems. The author’s ultimate goal is to move the Church from a state of worldly distraction back to a state of longing, transforming the reader from a passive observer into an expectant participant in the narrative.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the absolute necessity of the Lord's return to complete the work of salvation, the author writes:

"Not till our Lord Jesus Christ comes the Second time will the Church be exalted into her true function of rulership over the world."

The author emphasizes the physical, literal nature of the return by focusing on the witness of the disciples:

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

He speaks to the urgency of the present moment, warning against those who would delay or intellectualize this hope:

"He is listening to hear whether you want Him to come; whether above every plan and scheme you may have been building in His name; above any religious, even spiritual ambition you may have, you want Him to come for--Himself."

What It's Really About

The book is a polemic against the secularization of Christian hope. At its core, the argument is that the modern age has replaced the spiritual anticipation of Christ’s return with a misplaced confidence in human progress, social legislation, and institutional survival. The author contends that the world is inherently broken and that no amount of reform can fix it; therefore, the only logical conclusion for the believer is a radical, single-minded focus on the supernatural intervention of God. It is a work concerned with the nature of authority—divine versus human—and the necessity of maintaining a "heaven-speech" that refuses to accommodate the values of a world the author believes is hurtling toward a violent end.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of American fundamentalism will find this a fascinating, authentic primary source. The author writes with a high-octane, oratorical intensity that reflects the urgent, revivalist atmosphere of post-World War I Christianity. The language is rich, often dense, and filled with the dramatic flair of early 20th-century pulpit rhetoric.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the author's uncompromising and often abrasive tone. The book reflects the period's intense sectarianism, particularly in its harsh critiques of Roman Catholicism and the "modernist" movement within Protestantism. His dismissal of social programs and political efforts as "infidelity" or "Jericho theology" may be difficult for those accustomed to more nuanced theological discourse. The text does not seek to persuade through compromise; it seeks to confront through conviction. If you approach this work as a piece of historical literature—a snapshot of a specific, fire-breathing tradition of faith—it offers a powerful, if provocative, look into a worldview that viewed the horizon of history not as a long, slow climb toward human improvement, but as a narrow, darkening path leading directly to a sudden, divine light. It is a demanding read that lingers with you, primarily because of its unwavering, almost terrifying, sense of certainty.