HAVE been just thinking how the great apostate systems, whether civil or ecclesiastical, are to advance in strength and magnificence just as the day of their doom and judgment approaches. Witness the woman in Revelation 18, and the beast in Revelation 13. And I ask, Is not this moment through which we are passing giving pledges of this? Do we not see the great ecclesiastical system advancing to occupy itself of the world with something of giant strength? And is not the world, as a civil or secular thing, spreading itself out in luxuries and attainments and cultivation and magnificence beyond all precedent? And are not these things the pledges that all is on the road to the display of the woman and the beast in their greatness and grandeur, which are divinely destined to precede their judgment.
But again I ask, Is there any such notice under the hand of the Spirit, that the saints are to rise to their great or beautiful condition before their translation? The apostate things are to be great before their judgment comes, but I ask, Is the true thing to be great in its way before its glory comes?
This is an affecting inquiry. What answer does the oracle of God give it?
The 2nd epistle of Timothy contemplates the ruin and break up of the Church. But what condition does it anticipate things to be in afterward? No restoration to spiritual strength or beauty in Church order, but the pure in heart calling on the Lord together outside, and following the virtues and cultivating the graces that belong to them and become them in company.
Jude anticipates the last days. But what then? He promises nothing in the way of restored order and power, but encourages the “beloved” to build themselves up in holy faith, and to be looking for the mercy of God unto eternal life.
The 2nd epistle of Peter also contemplates the last days, and fearful unclean abominations among professors, and the scorning o? promises in the world. But he gives no hint of restored order and strength in the Church, but tells the saints to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, in the assurance that the promise of His corning and majesty is not a cunningly devised fable.
John contemplates the last days also; but it is under one strongly defined characteristic―the tampering with and the denial of the inestimably precious mystery of the Godhead Persons, and the truth about the Son. But He expects us only individually so to hold by that mystery, that wemay not be ashamed before Him when He Himself appears (1 John 2:2828And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)).
The judgment of the seven churches takes place in Revelation 2, iii. It is a solemn scene. It is a solemn scene. There is some good and much evil. There are many healthful admonitions for us, both in our individual and gathered condition, but there is no promise of restored order and power. The churches are judged, left under the word of judgment, and we hear no more of them on earth; the next sight we get of the elect is in heaven (ch. 4).
All this, beloved, is serious yet happy, for all is strikingly verified by the great moral phenomena around us at this moment.
It is well. It is gracious in the Lord to cast up before our eye, in His Word, the high road along which we were destined to travel, and the sights we were appointed to see. And it is happy to know that our translation does not wait for our regained condition of corporate order and strength. We might wait long if that were so, according to present appearances.
The wrong things will be in their magnificence, just when their judgment comes; the true thing will be in weakness till its glory comes.
BELLETT.