Spurgeon and Christ’s Imminent Return – yes, Charles Spurgeon really did believe that Christ could return at any moment. He lived in that mindset and advised others to do likewise.
We’ve posted several articles discussing Charles Spurgeon’s views on the value of imminence. Two can be found HERE and HERE. This subject is one of great contention among many non-pretribulationists. In fact someone once claimed that pretribbers worship the golden calf of imminence. Someone else asserted (rather lamely I believe) that, because of Human Nature, imminence was problematic for the Christian.
Despite acknowledging that Spurgeon was posttribulational, and still valued the idea of imminence, I received pushback as if I was trying to pull a fast one. How can Spurgeon speak of imminence when he also spoke of cosmic signs preceding Christ’s Second Advent? At the time my point was that whatever Spurgeon’s view – he greatly valued imminence.
But it turns out Spurgeon did believe that Christ could return at any moment. We can thank Dr. Michael Svigel for the incisive study he’s conducted. See his PDF download: “Eschatological Events in Sermons of Charles Spurgeon.”
What Spurgeon preached
The following source is cited by Svigel and is taken from The Spurgeon Center; specifically, the sermon “Looking unto Jesus.”
But, Christian, “Look unto him, and be lightened.” Lo! he cometh, he cometh, he cometh quickly; and what we cannot do in six thousand years, he can do in an instant. Lo! he comes, he comes to reign; we may try to build his throne, but we shall not accomplish it. But when he comes, he shall build his throne himself, on solid pillars of light and sit and judge in Jerusalem, amidst his saints, gloriously. Perhaps to-day, the hour we are assembled, Christ may come—”For of that day and hour knoweth no man; no, not the angels in heaven.” Christ Jesus may, while I yet speak, appear in the clouds of glory.
We have no reason to be guessing at the time of his appearing, he will come as a thief in the night; and whether it shall be at cock-crowing, or broad day, or at midnight, we are not allowed to guess; it is left entirely in the dark, and vain are the prophecies of men, vain your “Apocalyptic Sketches,” or ought of that. (Bold mine)
I urge people to read Dr. Svigel’s essay on Spurgeon’s eschatology linked above.
In conclusion: Charles Spurgeon did believe in any-moment coming of our Lord. He preached it and encouraged his listeners with it.
Maranatha!
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