“To meet the Lord in the air”—what a volume in those words! Nothing can give cheerfulness in the thought of treading a path never trod before, but the Lord Himself being there—meeting Him there.
“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.” This is the language of affection. He does not say, I will send for you. No, that would not satisfy the heart— “I will come.” He would not be content without having them where He is, and without coming to receive them to Himself.
The hope of the Lord's coming is a divine hope, centered in Himself; not only rejoicing in hope of the glory of God—more than that, waiting for Christ Himself, who, being now in the very highest point of glory, will come forth from that glory to take us up.
How are your hearts affected in regard to the thought of this Christ of God not only coming to throw open the Father's house, Himself to be our joy? Can you say that the longing of your hearts is flowing forth in the invitation continually ascending,
“Come, Lord Jesus”? That Nazarene has it in His heart to come, and if He speaks and says,
“Surely, I come quickly,” have such words, dropping from His lips, the continual answer in your heart.
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus”?