The Christian reader is entreated to give due attention, and not to turn from the subject of the second coming of Christ without prayerful consideration. I shall endeavor to present it in as simple a way as is possible: and it is not doubted that the blessed doctrine will be seen to be God's truth, if the reader will give up his preconceived notions.
Let me then, in the first place, clear the ground of a very common difficulty in the minds of many. Now I, for one, say that the Lord Jesus may come again at any time, even before you have finished reading this paper, and take the saved to Himself. But, it is replied, "No, that cannot be; because the Gospel has not yet been preached throughout the world, and all people are not yet converted to God; and Christ will not come until the whole world has been saved, and the knowledge of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea." But is this objection a Scriptural one? No, emphatically no: the very reverse is the truth of God. We are not to expect the conversion of the whole world before Christ comes to take to Himself her whom He loved and gave Himself for—the Church of God, His Bride. "GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." CHRIST, however, in His character as Christ, loved the Church and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)). According to the Word of God, and according to past and present fact, God is taking out a people for His name; the world at large, however, and even the religious world, is growing worse and worse; ripening for the judgment which will come over all the earth, commencing at the house of God (1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)), this judgment will precede the general judgment (at the Great White Throne) one thousand years. Let us now turn to the Word of God, and see what saith the Lord as to the world getting worse rather than better.
Look at 1 Tim. 4:11Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1), and mark the very striking and emphatic manner in which the Apostle writes. He says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly." He has something then of special moment to call our attention to. What is it? "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils," etc., etc. Is this all men turning to God and believing in Christ? No; but men who had confessed the faith, and who had taken the ground of profession, turning from the faith and giving heed to Satan, his servants, and his doctrines. But this is in the latter times, it may be said; before the end comes things will improve and get all right. Turn then to 2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1), etc., and here we have, not the latter times, but the last days; and what will be the character of these last days? "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Tim. 3:1-51This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1‑5)). Is this a catalog of the Christian graces, the fruit of the Spirit? All will at once answer, No; it is a list of horrible evils, gross wickednesses. Well, these things are to characterize the last times. But where, in what society, are we to look for this abounding of sin and wickedness? In the godless, the heathen world, where the Gospel has never been heard? No, but we are specially told by the Holy Ghost to look for all this evil in that place where there is a form of godliness, but the power thereof denied. That is, in the place where the word of God is, and where the Gospel is preached—in what we should call the religious world, Christendom. It need not be said that this is intensely solemn. It is, nevertheless, undoubtedly the word of the living and only true God. And not only so, but to any one whose eyes are open to the state of Christendom at this time, it cannot but be seen that evil is abounding, and that of the worst kind—evil as to Christ and His word. Where do we look in these days for infidelity; is it not in the religious world? See too the rapid progress of popery, and that, not in her own legitimate sphere, but within the pale of the Protestant Churches. Are not popery and infidelity now making the most rapid advances in this land?
The question here naturally arises, Is there no remedy for this increase of evil in the professing Church? Are we not to look for a reform? No; we are to expect none; because the Holy Ghost in this same chapter (2 Tim. 3.) informs us that "evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse—deceiving and being deceived," etc. It is quite hopeless, then, looking for any reformation. What then are we who have believed in Jesus to do? We are to live godly in Christ Jesus, turning away from all the evil which so much abounds, and which will do so more and more. We are to live godly in Christ Jesus, and those who will do so shall suffer persecution, even as Christ Jesus Himself did; and "if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him." The resources of those who will live godly are Christ Himself, in whom all fullness dwells, and the word which has been given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)). Seeing then that evil abounds and is to abound, and that in the very midst of the religious world, and that we are to expect no reformation, but rather the contrary, what is the real character of this dispensation according to the mind of God? The word of God states most distinctly, and the history of the Church of God proves that word to be true, that God is not converting the whole world, but He is taking out of all nations a people for His Son. Please, dear reader, do not turn away from this statement, but give me your attention, and follow me step by step to the conclusion; for I want you to understand the subject, whether you will accept it as God's truth or not. Hitherto I have given you chapter and verse for all that has been written, and shall no doubt do so to the end. See then whether it is Scripturally and historically true that God is not converting all men, but is saving whosoever believes in Jesus. The Apostle James stood up and said to the Church meeting at Jerusalem, that Simeon had declared how that God had visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name (Acts 15:1111But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)). Is not this historically true? What is the testimony of our every day's experience? Is it the many or the few who confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior? It is but the few—even in this land of open Bibles. It is only a few here, a handful there, who really and truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In spite of all the efforts put forth for the conversion of the heathen, it is but a remnant after all who are saved.
We now advance a step further, and inquire, What is God doing with these sinners whom He is saving by His grace for His own glory?
This is an important question, and I beg the reader's prayerful attention to the answer. God takes these souls He has saved individually, and by the one Holy Spirit He baptizes them into one body. God is forming a body for His Son. He has raised Him from the dead, and set Him as Head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all: a body composed of sinners saved by grace, which is to be for the display of all the grace and wisdom and glory of God (Eph. 1 and 3. chapters). We have been saved as individual sinners,—" Christ loved me and gave Himself for me;" but do not remain as individuals merely, but become members of a body: Christ's body—bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh. By one Spirit are we baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, and have all been made to drink into one spirit (1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)). This is a subject of supreme importance, because it is what is specially occupying the attention and activity of God in this day of His grace. It is quite peculiar to this dispensation; hid indeed in God from all eternity, but never disclosed until it was by revelation made known to the Apostle Paul. If you read carefully the third of Ephesians you cannot fail to see this. I press it upon you, because unless you see this truth you are outside the current and circle of God's thoughts, ways, and actings in this special day, and cannot possibly understand the Scriptures. God is, I repeat, forming a body for His own Son, one body, not many, which is the Church of God, the Bride of Christ.
Previous to the day of Pentecost there were one hundred and twenty believers in an upper room, praying and waiting for the promise of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. When the day of Pentecost was fully come, the Holy Ghost descended upon them. And by that one Spirit they were baptized into one body. This was the commencement of the body of Christ.
This Bride of Christ is still in process of formation. It is a unity. It is one—one body, one Bride. It is impossible to understand the word of God, unless we clearly see this distinct and peculiar characteristic of the dispensation in which we are now living. The saved amongst Israel were never said to be formed into one body. At that time there was no head, as such, to add them to, and the Holy Ghost was not then an abiding Comforter to unite them to the Head, as He now is. They were individual saints of God, and have gone to glory. Now, however, it is different. God is taking out of all nations, Jews and Gentiles, a people whom He is sealing by the Holy Ghost, and so adding them one by one to the one body—the body of Christ; and they are members of His body, and of His flesh, and of His bones (Eph. 5:3030For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30)).
Again, this body stands to Christ in the relation of a bride to the bridegroom, as we read in 1 Cor. 11:22Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2): "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it. I apologize not for dwelling upon this part of the subject, because it is so immensely important, and particularly so in connection with the return of the Lord Jesus from heaven, because it is for this His Bride that He is coming—coming to take her away from earth to heaven. The cry goes forth, Behold the Bridegroom cometh. Christ is coming in His character of Bridegroom; and for whom does the Bridegroom come? His Bride of course—the nearest and dearest object of His affections, the chief treasure of His heart. "Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it" (Eph. 5.). He has a secret spring, a sweet, deep well of love in His heart for her, which none ever knew or will know but she who stands thus intimately related to Him. God so loved the world,—but the special object of the love of Christ is the Church of God, His body and Bride. In eternity He loved her, and His delights were set on her, but never was it manifested until this particular dispensation of God's grace. It could not have been so, because the object of that special spring of love was not in actual existence. As soon as the time came for the Bride of Christ to be formed, and they who were to be members of His body were born into this world, we find Christ, having loved the Church, came to earth to claim her as His, and to give Himself as an offering to God for her. She was covered with the filthiness of sin, and He shed His precious blood to cleanse her from all sin. She was under condemnation, and He took it all in her stead. She had incurred a fearful punishment on account of her sins, even eternal wrath, which she could not receive and go to be with her Lord too, because it was an eternal punishment; but He gave Himself for her, and He received the just punishment, and that to the very last drop. And thus through death, judgment, and wrath, He obtained and purchased to and for Himself a Bride, who should be his companion and share His glories forever and ever. Eternal praises be to Him who hath thus loved us and given Himself for us! It is, then, for this Bride that Christ is coming again to take her from earth to that special place His special love has prepared for her. "In my Father's house," He said, "are many mansions;" but He adds, "I go to prepare a place for you,"—a special place for His Bride. Behold the Bridegroom cometh!
If this be all true—and it most certainly is, blessed be God—the question arises: What is the proper hope and expectation of the saints of God while passing through this present scene of sorrow and trouble on earth? Is it that they might be saved? Surely not, for they are saved. They have confessed the Lord Jesus with their mouths, and have believed in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead; and therefore they are saved. We do not hope for that which we already possess in a risen and glorified Christ. Neither is it death that they hope for, because the apostle says we shall not all die, but we shall be changed: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:51-5351Behold, 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. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑53)). Again, it is not judgment they hope for, because they are in Christ, and "there is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus; for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath set them free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:1, 21There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1‑2)).
What then is their hope? It is Christ Himself (1 Tim. 1:11Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; (1 Timothy 1:1)), for He is the source and object of all our blessing. All is centered in Him, and we have all things in Him. He is our life, peace, joy, hope, wisdom, righteousness, and every spiritual blessing. Apart from Christ we have nothing, for there is nothing spiritual apart from Him. Without Him we have no hope (Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)). There is no such thought in the Word of God as any one hoping to be saved as to his soul, because, if he has Christ he is saved. "He shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)), and therefore does not hope to be saved; for to have Christ is to have eternal life and all things. But if you have not Christ, you are not saved. You have no life, for He is Himself the life, and you are without hope in the world. God says so (Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)).
Christ then is the believer's hope, and not only so, but his hope is A COMING CHRIST (Titus 2:11-1411For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11‑14)). "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time, without sin unto salvation (Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28))."
The blessed Lord, just previous to His departure from this world, having told His disciples of His intention to leave them, and the necessity of His doing so, they were greatly troubled; and so He seeks to comfort them, saying (John 14:1313And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)), "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, 1 will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where 1 am, there ye may be also." He spake to them of the many mansions in heaven: but what were they to them? The Object of their love was about to depart from them. It was the personal presence of their blessed Lord and Master they desired; it was Himself they loved and cared for.
"Were the vast world our own,
With all its varied store,
And Thou, Lord Jesus, wert unknown,
We still were poor."
They had given up all for Him, and as strangers and pilgrims had followed Him, learning of Him the ways and love of God. It was, I repeat, Himself that alone could satisfy the cravings of their hearts. They had found in Him one who spake as never man spake before, etc.; in Him were discovered to them unlimited resources—spiritual wealth amongst poverty—and inexhaustible fullness in their emptiness—Divine perfection in their conscious sinfulness. Doubtless, they, when He added those precious words, "1 will come again," and I will "receive you to myself, that where I am, ye may be also," found comfort for their sorrowing hearts. This was everything to them. "I" and "Myself." "I will come again, and I will receive you to myself." When on the sea, troubled at the presence of Jesus walking there, they, not knowing who it was, but hearing the word "I," were satisfied. "It is I; be not afraid." That word was quite enough. And so now, as they are once more troubled because of His departure, "I will come again, and receive you to myself," must have proved words of real comfort and joy to them.
Heaven, with all its glories, will be as nothing if Christ be absent; for now that we have learned to love Jesus, though we have not seen Him save by faith, heaven without Him would not be heaven to us. But He will be there, and He will be the one great Center of attraction, the pre-eminent one, God over all, blessed forever. What joy and comfort should it be also to our souls, as we pass through the wide, waste, howling wilderness, to have the blessed Lord to speak to us out of His own word. "I will come again, and I will receive you to myself, that where I am ye may be also."
But again, it is a PERSONAL Christ that is coming. It is not a mere doctrine or theory we have before us. It is a real person, a Divine Person—God manifest in flesh. It is He—"who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." He is one who is now in heaven seated with the Father in the Father's throne, crowned with glory and honor. He is one we see by faith, and love, worship, and adore. After His ascension to heaven, the disciples stood for awhile, gazing up steadfastly into heaven, and two men stood by them, and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:1111Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)). Mark now these blessed words: this same Jesus,—not another, not a messenger or an angel—no, but this same Jesus whom you have walked and talked with, and have learned to love. This same Jesus whose words you have heard, whose acts of love and grace you have known. This same Jesus whom you have seen and handled shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go up to heaven. What a blessed assurance to them and to us, who, through their words, have believed in Jesus!
The Christians at Thessalonica had the coming of a personal Lord before them. They were waiting for God's Son from heaven, God's only begotten Son, that very self-same Son whom He gave for the sin of the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. It was God's Son they had before their hearts. They were expecting His return, and for Him they were waiting. These devoted saints at Thessalonica were, however, in trouble about their fellow-saints who had fallen asleep in Jesus; and therefore to comfort them as to this, the Apostle writes to them assuring them that there was no cause for alarm or sorrow about the departed ones, for when the Lord Jesus did descend from heaven, the dead in Christ would rise first, then they which would be alive and remain would, with them, be caught up together, to meet the Lord in the air, and so be forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-1813But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18)).
Now please mark these remarkably emphatic words, "The Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven." It is a personal Christ that is coming, the Person our hearts have been set upon, and in whom our weary and troubled souls have found a sure and effectual resting-place. "Whom having not seen we love; in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8))." Will you then please follow me, and notice how very emphatic these words are; so much so indeed that it is very difficult to read—every word in it has to be emphasized so strongly, for every word is so full of meaning, instruction, and power.
Read then, "the Lord." It is the Lord, the definite, distinct, particular Lord; not a Lord, but the Lord—that blessed Person once on earth, but whom God has glorified, and made Lord and Christ, and whom we by grace have confessed as our Lord. It is Jesus the man, the same Jesus that is coming; but He is coming as the LORD, and all who believe shall be received by Him.
Again, it is the Lord HIMSELF. These are precious and powerful words to our souls; so full of meaning and emphasis, causing our hearts to burn afresh; for it is a person, a real personal Lord that is coming.
Dear reader, if I know your heart, your heart does rejoice in this word Himself, it is so full of significance. This same Jesus, who, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. It is, I repeat, this same Jesus, who Himself is the Lord that shall come again and receive us to Himself, and present us to Himself a glorious Church, having neither spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing. He will not send another; He will not depute a mighty host to fetch us. No, no; He will come HIMSELF. Would He be content to send for us? No! I am bold to answer, for I feel I know the heart of Christ enough so to reply; for He so loved the Church that He gave Himself, and died for her, bearing all her sins in His own body on the tree, and paying all her heavy debt, so as to have her as His companion forever in the glory. I know He loves her still, for He is ever serving her, sanctifying and cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. And I know too, that, having loved her when in the world, He will love her unto the end. And moreover, I know His heart's deep and devoted love to her is such that He would not be content without Himself descending once more at least into the air, and catching her away and receiving her to Himself.
Suffer me now to stay a moment and ask you, my reader, What sort of response can and does your heart make to this great love of Christ Jesus towards us His Bride? Would you be content to be sent for? Would you be satisfied if ten thousand times ten thousand of the heavenly hosts were to come and take you away? If we were to hear to-day the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, and to see the heavens filled with a countless multitude of angels come to call us away, and saw not the blessed Lord: would there not, think you, be a feeling of disappointment? I think there would be; nay, I feel sure, I am certain there would be, not only a feeling of disappointment, but an expression of it too. Should we not exclaim, Where is the LORD HIMSELF? Where is Jesus, the Son of God. It is Jesus, our Lord, we look for, and our souls need, yea, must have. Such would doubtless be the sort of expression our hearts would give out, were Jesus to send for us and not come Himself. But He will come; for it is written, "The Lord Himself SHALL descend from heaven." Here we have another emphatic word.
It is not man's, but God's "shall"; and therefore God, who cannot lie, will accomplish His own purpose, and fulfill all He has said; and not one word of all He has said shall fail—then the Lord Himself shall DESCEND—here is another emphatic word. He shall descend, or come down, from heaven.
How plain and simple Scripture is! It could not be more so. To descend means to come down. Now some will say, as it often has been said, that our going to Christ through death is the same as His coming to fetch us. This is, however, a very serious mistake, because, in the first place, when the child of God dies there are many who mourn his loss, and he will go alone; but when Jesus comes all the saints of God will go together, and there will be a general rejoicing.
Again, when one dies he is buried, whereas when Christ comes there will be a resurrection of all the saints of God from their graves: for the dead in Christ shall rise first. Surely then the saints going to Jesus by death and His coming to fetch them are not at all the same thing, but the reverse in some respects. And further, coming and going do not mean the same thing. The Lord Himself then shall descend from heaven. The very place is named from whence He will come: the disciples saw Him go up into heaven, and from thence He will come.
Considering then these blessed things, and the blessed word of the Lord Jesus Himself: "I will come again, and receive you to myself;" considering too, the emphatic confirmation of them by the Holy Ghost, through the Apostle—what manner of men ought we to be in all holy conversation, and what should be the attitude of our souls? Surely, in the first place, believing what He says, and then patiently waiting the accomplishment of the same. The Corinthian saints had heard and believed, and were waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:77So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:7)). So too, as we have before noticed, the Thessalonians were waiting for God's Son from heaven (1 Thess. 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)), But further, the whole creation is interested in the coming of Christ, and it is represented as being in a groaning state (Rom. 8:22, 2322For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22‑23)): "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Now shall we, who are the intelligent creation of God, and who have the deepest interest in the work of Christ and also in His inheritance, shall we, I say, be less concerned than the dumb creation in the coming of Christ? Shall the whole dumb creation groan, and we remain indifferent? Surely not. Shall we then suffer all creation thus to witness against us? Shall it groan and not we? The Lord deepen in our souls the work of His grace, and enlarge our poor scanty hearts towards Himself, so that we may really believe what He has said about His return, and practically wait for Himself from heaven.
And now it may be interesting just for a moment or so to see what are the events which will attend the coming again of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, from heaven, which may be at any moment. The first thing will be the resurrection of the saints who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thess. 4:1616For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16)). They have been sown in corruption; they will be raised in incorruption: they have been sown in dishonor; they will be raised in glory: they have been sown in weakness; they will be raised in power: they have been sown natural bodies; they will be raised spiritual bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-4442So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42‑44)). The living saints will receive their heavenly, glorified bodies, they will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; changed at the coming again of Jesus Himself, they will be fashioned like unto His own glorified body, according to the power whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself (Phil. 3:20, 2120For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21)). Then the living and the risen saints will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, who will, amidst the shouts of the hallelujahs of the tens of thousands of the heavenly hosts, conduct them home to that place (John 14.), that special place, He went to heaven to prepare for them—His Bride. Then He will present her to Himself a glorious Church, having neither spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing (Eph. 5:2727That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)).
Loud and full as will be the praises of the heavenly host, louder still, much louder and fuller, will be the expressions of praise and worship and adoration from us who have been saved and kept by His grace.
While we are thus with the Lord Jesus in heaven, learning more and more of Himself, He discovering to us fresh beauties, deeper perfections, and glories exceeding all we have seen before; worshiping and adoring Him at every additional revelation of Himself, owning how, indeed, the half had not been told; His wisdom and prosperity, His beauty and glories exceeding all the fame we heard thereof, -while, I say, we are in heaven learning of Jesus, on earth evil men and seducers will wax still worse and worse; Satan will be cast down to earth; sin will be developed; man will be left to himself, and it will be seen what man is capable of doing in sin and wickedness. The light will have been removed, and darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the people. The salt of the earth will have been taken away, and corruption will have its free and unhindered course.
After the flood God left man very much to himself, and man set himself up in independency of God. "And they said, Go to, let us build a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:44And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4)). But not only did man act in independency of God, but he set up false gods, gods the work of his own hands, in place of the only true and living God. It will be so again. After the Church is taken away like Enoch, man will once more be left to himself, and he will once more act in open rebellion against God; and that man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth himself against all that is called God, and who, sitting in the temple of God, will show himself as God. The mystery of iniquity was already working, even in the days of the apostle, only there was and is a power in the earth hindering the full manifestation of the man of sin; but when Jesus comes, this letting power (which is the Holy Ghost and the Church) will be taken away, and then shall that wicked one be revealed; and Satan, having thus shown what he can make man do in the ways of sin and wickedness, the Lord will come forth once more with ten thousands of His saints (they having been caught away previous to this development of sin), to "execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him" (Jude 1515To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 15).) Then shall the Lord consume this man of sin, this wicked one "with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy him with the brightness of His coming" (2 Thess. 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8)).
Christ Jesus, the Lord, will then take His great power and reign, King of kings and Lord of lords, and all shall be subject to His will; all knees shall bow at His name, and every tongue shall confess Him Lord to the glory of God the Father. He shall have universal dominion; and then after these judgments shall the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. The seat and center, however, of His reign shall be the throne of His father David, on Mount Sion in Jerusalem; and before His ancients shall He reign gloriously (Isa. 9:6, 7; 24:236For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7)
23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (Isaiah 24:23); Mic. 4:77And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. (Micah 4:7)). This latter part not being the particular subject before us, we do not go into it in detail.
When Christ reigns, we—the Church—His Bride, will reign with Him. We, the one pearl of great price, to purchase which Christ, the Merchantman, sold all, will, as it were, be suspended in mid-heaven (Rev. 21:1-3; 231And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:1‑3) to end), the one chief and center jewel and ornament in heavenly places; it cost Jesus everything to obtain it, and it will be for the display of the exceeding riches of God's grace, His manifold wisdom, and the praise of His glory,—for the admiration of all the intelligent creation. We, too, are the chief treasure of the heart of Jesus, to obtain which He gave up all.
And now, in conclusion, it may be asked, But can you tell us when He will come? Of days, and months, and years, I know nothing, for the Word of God is quite silent thereon, and therefore we must be silent also. And yet the Holy Scriptures do tell us something as to this; for Paul, writing to the Hebrews, says, 'For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Heb. 10. 37). James informs us that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (ver. 8). And the Book of Revelation closes with the words of Jesus, "Surely I come quickly." Is it inquired then, When will the Lord Himself come down from heaven and take us, His Bride, to Himself? I answer, Yet a little while—He will not tarry, His coming draweth nigh. And He says Himself, "Surely I come quickly." Can the readers respond and say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"?
Christ, the Lord, will come again,
None shall wait for Him in vain;
I shall then His glory see;
Christ will come and call for me.
Then, when the Archangel's voice
Calls the sleeping saints to rise,
Rising millions shall proclaim
Blessings on the Saviors name.
"This is our redeeming God!"
Ransomed hosts will shout aloud:
"Praise, eternal praise be given
To the Lord of earth and heaven!"
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