This is a momentous question, frought with answers of the richest blessing for the Lord’s people, but laden with sorrowful replies to such as love Him not. Should a despiser of His love read this, let him consider this solemn, this terrible word, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” Let him be cursed at the coming of our Lord. (1 Cor. 16:2222If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Corinthians 16:22)). But, we trust, our reader does love the Lord Jesus, and in this hope we invite him to consider a few of the blessed things which the Lord will do for him when He comes.
1. “He will change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to that working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Phil. 3:2121Who 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 3:21)). This poor frame, liable to constant ills, decaying day by day, having the sweat of the curse and the lines of guilt upon it, turning gradually to dust—this body of humiliation is to he changed. Jesus Himself—no angel hand—Jesus Himself will give it the fashion, the beauty, and the perfection of His own glorious body. The shining of His countenance is “above the brightness of the sun at midday,” and He will make every single believer—the weakest—the youngest—as well as the strongest and oldest, glorious like Himself.
2. He will give to each of His saints a full knowledge of Himself. Now we understand but little of His wisdom—little of His love—little of His heart. “Now I know, in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor. 13:1212For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)).
3. He will take us to be forever with Himself. Here He is absent in person from us, and here, alas, we too often wander in spirit from Him, but when He comes we shall be “forever with the Lord.” (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)).
5. He will give us again our loved ones whose spirits are now with Him, but whose bodies are in the grave. We shall be “together with them in the clouds.” (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)). We shall be “together” once more! Severed now—joined there once more, and “forever.” Never to weep at parting again. No, blessed be the Lord, never!
This is a sweet morsel, dear believing reader! The Lord Jesus, when He comes, will make us like Himself in body, and in heart, and mind. He will take us to be forever with Himself—He will receive us to Himself in His Father’s house, and He will unite us with our beloved ones whom He has put to sleep.
Was ever prospect sweeter? And it is all true, word for word, for He has said it. His own great love for us will never rest until He has done for us all that He promises, and then “He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied,” and we shall rest in His love. It will be impossible to want any one single thing at that day, the heart will be full.
Do you believe all this, dear reader—have you this hope in Christ? What then saith the Scripture? “Every man that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 2:33And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (1 John 2:3)).
His whole course, while here, was pure; He did the Father’s will every step of the way, amid sorrow and distress, amid temptation and persecution, always, at all times He was pure. (He could be nothing less). And whoever it may be, even the feeblest believer—whoever it may be—every man that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as His is pure. He becomes more and more like the Lord and less and less like the world.