THIS posture the Thessalonian saints assumed on their believing the Gospel. (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).) The Apostle seems afterward to strengthen them in that posture, by telling them that from it they were to be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:1717Then 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 4:17).) And again, afterward, he seems to guard them against being disturbed in that attitude, against being tempted to give it up, by further telling them that that place of expectation should be exchanged for the place of meeting ere the day of the Lord fell in its terrors on the world and on the wicked. (2 Thess. 2:11Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1).) And still further, this very posture of waiting for the Son from heaven had induced a certain evil. The Thessalonian saints were neglecting present handiworks. The Apostle does not in anywise seek to change their posture, but admonishes them to hold it in company with diligence and watchfulness, that while their eye was gazing their hand might be working. (2 Thess. 3)
Admonitions and encouragements of the like tendency, that is, to strengthen us in this place and posture of heart, the Lord Himself seems to me to give just at the bright and blessed close of the volume.
“I come quickly" is announced by Him three times in the twenty-second of Revelation—words directly suited to keep the heart that listens to them believingly in the attitude of which I am speaking. But different words of warning and encouragement accompany this voice.
“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (v. 7.) This warns us that while we are waiting for Him, we must do so with watchful, obedient, observant minds, heedful of His words.
“Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every one according as his work shall be.” (v. 12). This encourages to diligence, telling us that by the occupation of our talents now during His absence, on the promised and expected return He will have honors to impart to us.
Surely, I come quickly," is again the word. (v. 20). This is a simple promise. It is neither a warning nor an encouragement. Nothing accompanies the announcement as in the other cases. It is, as it were, simply a promise to bring Himself with Him on His coming again. But it is the highest thing, the dearest thing. The heart may be silent before a warning, and. before an encouragement; such words may get their audience in secret from the conscience. But this promise of the personal return of Christ gets its answer from the saints.
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Thus the Lord, after this various and beautiful manner, does the business of the Spirit in the Apostle. His own voice, in their different and striking announcements, encourages the saints to maintain the attitude of waiting for Him.
Great things are a doing. The Church, the Jew, and the Gentile, are all in characteristic activity, each full of preparation and expectancy. But faith waits for that which tames not with such things. The rapture of the saint is part of a mystery, a part of "the hidden wisdom." The coming of the Son of God from heaven is a fact, as I judge, apart altogether from the history or the condition of the world around.
J. G. B.