Deliverance from the Cross — Page 106
Baptist'. (Matt. 17:10-13) 'If ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come'. (Matt. 11:14) And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias. . . (Luke 1:17). Thus, Jesus made it clear that a second coming of one who has passed away means the coming of someone in his power and spirit. Another aspect of this almost universal expectation of the second advent in the latter days of a great teacher is what would be the message and function of that teacher. Such an advent has been prophecied in almost all the principal faiths that flourish today upon the earth. Would the message and function of every one of them be identical or would each of them have his own message different from and in conflict with the messages of the other great teachers in their second advent? If the messages of all of them are to be identical then not more than one would be needed to convey that message and to set an example in conformity with it. If the messages are to be different and conflicting, the advent of so many teachers instead of promoting unity, peace, accord, and spiritual fulfilment, would only foster hostility, discord, enmity, and chaos. Mankind has, during the last two centuries or so, been pressing forward towards a unity of aim and purpose, and all the developments that have taken place towards bringing different sections into closer relations with 106