That which should characterize Christians is, not merely holding the doctrine of the Lord's coming as that which they believe, but their souls should be in the daily attitude of waiting, expecting, and desiring His coming. But why? That they may see Himself and be with Him and like Him forever! Not because t h e world which has been so hostile to them is going to be judged, though God will smite the wicked.
The whole walk and character of a saint depends upon his waiting for the Lord. Everyone should be able to read us by this, as having nothing to do in this world but to get through it, and not as having any portion in it.
"Turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven" (1 Thess. 1:9, 109For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10And 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 1:9‑10)). This is thought a strange thing now; but the Thessalonians were converted to this hope, for they belonged to a world which h a d rejected God's Son; therefore they had to turn from these idols "to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven."
What I desire to press upon you all, and myself too, is the individual waiting for the Lord; not as a doctrine merely, but as a daily waiting for Himself. Whatever the Lord's will may be, I should like Him to find me doing so when He comes. But that is not the question. Am I waiting for Himself day by day?
In 1 Thessalonians 2 the hope is connected with ministry. "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" Then Paul would get the reward of his service to the saints.
Then in the third chapter the hope is connected with our walk, as a motive for holiness.
"Unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
Also in the fourth chapter the doctrine of the hope is unfolded, the manner of it comes out: "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: then 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." 1 Thess. 4:16-1716For 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. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17).
Thus we see what a present expectation the coming of the Lord was; therefore Paul says, "We which are alive and remain." But why does he say "we"? Because he expected it then. This was Paul's character, that of waiting for the Lord. And does he lose that character because he died before the Lord came? No; not at all.
Though Peter had a revelation that he should put off the tabernacle of his body, yet did he daily wait for the Lord's coming. And this will be Peter's character when the Lord does come; he will lose nothing by his death.
"Be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord" (Luke 12:3636And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (Luke 12:36)). The character of their waiting was to be like servants at the hall door, that when the master knocked, they were ready to open to him immediately. It is a figure of course here; but it is the present power of the expectation that is alluded to. And the ruin of the Church has come in by practically saying, "My lord delayeth his coming" (Luke 12:4545But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; (Luke 12:45)).