“The doctrine of the speedy return of our Lord seems to make a radical change in the whole aspect of Christianity. Instead of having the conversion of the world as an object before the soul, which is the duty and privilege of all Christians, we are told that things will get worse and worse until Christ Himself comes and sets things right. And how does this agree with the words of our Lord, who said, “Upon this rock I will build My church; and, the gates of hell shall not prevail against it?” (Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)). If things are to get worse and worse, is not this by the agency of Satan? And would not this be prevailing against the church?”
We have elsewhere seen that God does not lead us to expect a time of universal blessing by the preaching of the gospel. He is now taking out of the nations a people for Himself, and He speaks of those believing who are ordained to eternal life, in no way implying that the result will be universal blessing.
We have also seen that the millennium will be brought about by entirely different means, and in connection with the Jews being again brought into blessing in their own land.
Therefore the text quoted from Matthew cannot in any way alter that which is founded upon plain statements of the word of God. Nevertheless let us look at the passage.
It must be first noticed that our Lord here speaks of what He was going to build, not what His servants would build. It is highly important to notice the difference. The Apostle Paul speaks of himself as a wise master-builder who had laid the foundation: others build thereon. But then he adds, “Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon.” He is evidently here speaking of a different aspect of the building from that which Christ Himself builds, or what need would there be of this warning voice?
Paul goes on to say, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1111For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)). The foundation is good; indeed, there can be no other; but it is what is built that may eventually prove worthless. “Now if any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:10-1510According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10‑15)). From this it will be seen that there may be unsound building in connection with the true foundation, such as is represented by wood, hay, and stubble. How can this stand the fire? Impossible; it will be burned up. Satan is not mentioned here, though there can be no doubt that he is helping it all on; but it is what man is doing, and such work will be all burnt up.
This is not different from what we get throughout Scripture, even from the garden of Eden to the present time, namely, that the result of whatever is committed to man is characterized by failure. So that when the scripture speaks of things getting worse and worse, it is what man will be.
It is surprising that so many Christians do not see that this is foretold in the word, but are constantly speaking of great progress, and of things getting better. Look, for instance, at the declension manifest in the addresses to the seven churches in the Revelation. To the first it is simply, “Thou hast left thy first love,” which, indeed, we may say is the first point of departure; but to the last the message is; “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.”And yet how deceived they are, for they say, “I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing,” whereas God sees them to be “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
This is not a description of the world, but of the church, and therefore God here and in other places teaches us that there will be dreadful failures connected with that which is associated with the name of Christ. It will become so loathsome that Christ is represented as spuing it out of His mouth.
See also the destruction of Babylon in Revelation 17, described as an abandoned woman. “Here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth... the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:9-189And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:9‑18)). What city but Rome is known to be built on seven hills? and what but papal Rome can be this profligate woman — though, as she is called the mother of harlots, the description may include those churches which have had their origin from her?
Yes, Scripture in many places speaks of the failure and degeneracy of Christendom; but this is what has been committed to man, and in no way touches that which Christ is building. It is what He is building that the gates of hell shall not prevail against. Many passages plainly speak of the eternal security of all that are Christ’s. “My sheep shall never perish,” said our Lord. And we know He will present to Himself “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” This is the church that Christ is building, and against which the gates of hell shall not prevail.
It is true that what He builds may be by human instrumentality; but then it is compared to gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:1212Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (1 Corinthians 3:12)), which will bear the fire and will not be burned up. No, they, “as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)). It is hoped that these scriptures make it plain that, though Satan will not be allowed to prevail against the church of the living God, and though there is eternal security for all that Christ builds, yet much that man builds in the professing church will be burned up, and that things therein will get worse and worse until the Lord comes. This in no way clashes with the coming of the Lord being the true hope of the church, indeed it confirms it in every way; for we have not to look for universal blessing — great as that will be when it comes — nor to await any events before He comes. We may be greatly depressed if we look around at what man is building; but if we look up all is bright there, and we know that suddenly, in a moment, in the twinkling of the eye, we know not how soon, the dead in Christ will be raised, and we shall be changed: we shall be with our Lord, and like Him forever. May those who are the Lord’s be always ready and looking for Him!