Part 2.
How comforting, too, is this blessed event! When the Thessalonian believers were sorrowful because they saw their brethren in Christ die (fall asleep), instead of the Lord coming for them as they thought would be the case, the apostle was inspired to instruct them that those who had died in Christ would come out of heaven with Christ when He comes to reign. He also tells them how they, as well as those who are alive when He comes, will get to heaven, in order that all come out together in the reign with Christ. He says:
How this must have comforted the bereaved! What solid consolation it must have given them to know that, when the Lord comes, the departed saints and living ones will be all together, and everlastingly happy, without another cloud of sorrow in the Lord’s most blessed presence. How many a mother has had her sorrow turned into joy by this blessed truth, when called to follow to the grave the remains of her precious offspring; and what multitudes of widows have wiped the tear of bitter anguish from off their sorrowing faces, at the thought of how soon, how very soon it will be, before they and their departed will meet the Lord in the air, and be forever with the Lord. Is it any marvel then, that the apostle is instructed to enjoin those bereaved ones at Thessalonica not to sorrow as those who have no hope, but to be comforted; yea, to “comfort one another with these words”?
We cannot conceive anything that could more sweetly and powerfully comfort the bereaved heart, than this special revelation of the Lord through Paul, to assure such of His intense de sire that they should have this comfort in their sorrow and bereavement, during His absence. Can we find anything in the entire range of Holy Scripture, that which more touchingly brings home the Lord’s warm desire for our consolation, and sustainment during this time of tribulation, and death? if the hope be bright in our souls, shall we not according to His loving desire be able to “comfort one another”? We gravely doubt whether any who have not the comfort of the Lord’s coming themselves, will be able to “comfort one another with these words.”
We need to look plainly and unflinchingly into this very solemn matter, lest we be found trafficking in mere knowledge of doctrine, instead of comforting others “by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Clearly then it is a comforting hope.
The hope, too, is purifying. “Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:33And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:3).
As the Son from heaven is the bright and blessed hope, so is He the example for our walk. He is the standard of the daily purifying of those who go forth to meet Him. It needs but a moment’s reflection to see what separation, what entire consecration, this involves; nay more, it shows what the practical walk will be of those who really have this hope. It does not say, he ought to purify himself, but he does it, “he purifieth himself, even as He is pure.”
How intensely solemn this is! How decisive, how searching, how sweeping! How it admonishes us to quicken our steps in going forth to meet Him; to be alive, awake, in earnest, to run with patience looking off unto Jesus; and while looking for Him, find out the narrow path on earth of going forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. It is clear enough that those who step out in these divinely- ordered ways of faith, and love, and hope, at all costs, must, however unwillingly, leave those far behind who linger in the world’s excitement and advantages, instead of openly warning souls against its impending and appalling doom. Loss in the worldling’s account there must be, as well as suffering with a rejected Savior, if not for Him, if we really go forth to meet Him; but
“How will recompense His smile
The sufferings of this little while.”
If caring for the need of others,
Is it the consciousness of being in an evil world where the Lord is not, that disturbs us?
Are any of us caring for the Lord’s household?
Is it a groaning, mortal body which hinders us from carrying out all the service we desire?
Are we growing drowsy and lukewarm? Then we are warned that it was an “evil servant” who said, in his heart,
Are we not pondering over the Scriptures, and delighting in them as we ought? He saith,
Are we losing freshness and fervency in His holy service? Then He encourages us by saying,
Is it death that any dear child of God dreads? It is by no means certain that we shall die; for
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” &c. 1 Cor. 15:51, 5251Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑52). We ask, then, can we imagine any truth to have a more practical bearing than the blessed hope of our Lord’s coming?
The weighty and searching question, dear Christian reader, is, How far has the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ produced practical results in us? May the Lord enable us to deal honestly with ourselves as in His presence about this weighty matter! Has its purifying effect been so real in our consciences that we are separated from worldly companionships, and desire for worldly advancement, worldly possessions, worldly honors? Have the interests of Christ, and the hope of seeing Him, detached us from other interests, other objects, and other hopes? Are we caring for our Lord’s household? How vast the contrast between the worldling’s doom of darkness and judgment, and the Christian’s hope of unfading light and glory!
O that these thoughts may produce deep and solemn exercise in souls, lest any be found in the dreadful wile of Satan talking about the Lord’s coming, when, like Judas, the “pieces of silver” have really more charm than the “Lord Himself;” and Pilate’s place of worldly honor and power is esteemed more highly than the rejected Son of God. O, how can any be going forth to meet the Bridegroom, if, like Lot’s wife, they are looking behind?