A Present Hope

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
The living saints (observe the word "we," not "they," for it is a present hope), exclusively the Church composed of those living at that moment, are then "with them" (the saved who have died) caught up "together" to meet the Lord in the air. This is what the Apostle had before him when he spoke of "the prize of the high calling" (ano, calling above, up out of the earth, on high, Phil. 3:1414I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)). Think of it! Side by side with our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus! He who knows the heart does not keep us waiting until the Father's house is reached to meet our loved ones, the redeemed trophies of His grace. It is a living and ever-present hope! "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord." Luke 12:3535Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (Luke 12:35). Do not think that it will produce feverish excitement or arrest your service; on the contrary, it will sustain you. It is given for this very purpose. It is true the Church has had a protracted history, but all the assemblies mentioned in the second and third chapters of Revelation were existing, contemporary churches. There was nothing in prospect then. The scenes were before their eyes. The revelation was made. The parable in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew teaches us that although the Bridegroom tarried, yet the affair was of one night; the same virgins remained. If we look at the parable of the servants (Luke 19:12-2712He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:12‑27)), all was looked at as in the lifetime of the man and of the servants. Let us not say with the evil servant: "My lord delayeth his coming." Luke 12:4545But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; (Luke 12:45). We are to occupy "till He come." His last word to us in Scripture is "Surely I come quickly." Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20). R. B. Wallace