Spotlight - Occupy Until I Come

Occupy until I come: A.T. Pierson and the evangelization of the world

by Dana L Robert (Eerdmans Publishing, 2003)

Arthur T. Pierson (1837-1911) was famous in his day as a Bible teacher, a leader in Keswick holiness teaching, and an urban pastor who cared passionately for the poor. He was the prime mover behind the student missionary movement of the 1800s, which, based on Matthew 24:14, aimed at “the evangelization of the world in this generation,” and sent thousands of missionaries from the United Kingdom, United States & Canada to foreign lands with the gospel. Looking back a century later, that mission's effort was enormously successful—in 1800, Christians represented only 23% (less than one-in-four) of the world’s population; by 1900 that percentage had risen to 34% (more than one-in-three).

"Occupy until I Come,” explores the life and legacy of A. T. Pierson, a contemporary of D. L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray & Hudson Taylor. The title, "Occupy until I Come” comes from the King James Version's rendering of Luke 19:13 which says, “Do business until I come.” This is the master’s charge to his servants in the “Parable of the Minas” (Luke 19:11-27).

Pierson was helped by George Muller to realize that Christ’s return would take place prior to the 1,000-year reign; hence he taught a pre-millennial rapture of believers. As Christians we are charged to labour in the Lord’s service until He comes (returns). Today this admonition applies to all who have been saved by Jesus Christ. He is the King who will return to establish His 1,000-year kingdom on earth and reward His faithful servants.