THE LORD IS COMING!

& Associated Events
in which His people are concerned

by Franklin Ferguson

Written for the hearts of those who love His appearing.

Foreword.

Our Lord's long-promised Return appears to be at hand, so far as we can ascertain from the prophecy of the New Testament. We are not warranted in giving a date, as some unwisely have done, yet we are told that when we see certain events beginning to come to pass, we are then to lift up our heads, for He is near. From a careful reading of such portions of the New Testament which describe the state of the world in "the last days," we find the startling truth that everything predicted is now abundantly evident.

What a state this poor world is in! Tribulation, lawlessness, wickedness, misery, soroow, distress and perplexity abound on every hand. And the Christian is by no means exempt from the present trying circumstances of our surroundings.

Today, particularly, there is shining in the darkness this bright Hope of the Lord's Coming - the Christian's complete deliverance from "this present evil world." For the comfort and cheer of the Lord's dear people we have written the following pages.

Franklin Ferguson.

THE LORD IS COMING!

Yes, the very same Jesus who died for our sins, who was raised from the dead for our justification; who ascended to heaven as our Great High Priest and our Advocate with the Father; this blessed One is surely coming again. The New Testament abounds with references to this glorious event. Everything points to the fact that it is now at hand.

Our purpose in writing is not to give a detailed statement of all coming events, but rather to present the Scriptures concerning the Hope of the church, which is the Coming of her Lord to receive her unto Himself for ever. Though we look for great events foretold by prophecy, yet first in order is our Lord's return which closes the present "day of salvation" - a period unmarked by dates, a break in the prophetic stream of time. After His Coming for the Church, prophecy is resumed in its relation to the Jews and the nations on earth. But this one bright Hope is held up before the people of God, weith naught else between - Christ's Return any day, any moment! It may be "at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning" (Mark 13:35),

Let us now consider a number of passages unfolding our precious subject:

THE LORD'S PROMISE

Two events are here stated:

(1) "I go;"
(2) "I will come again."
More than nineteen hundred years have passed away since He went back to the Father, and still He has not come. Truly the Church has waited long; but He has promised to return, and will surely keep His word. It may seem long to us, but the time is short to Him in the joy of gathering in the lost ones to make up the number of His redeemed, and in the joy of preparing the place for them, so wonderfully perfect and glorious as it must be.

A little child was sauntering along the street of a city in England, repeating to itself, "At ten o'clock, at ten o'clock!" A kind gentleman accosted the little one and sought to gently draw forth what was the meaning of the oft-repeated monotone, "At ten o'clock!" Ah, it was this: Mother had gone away early that morning and had promised to be back at ten o'clock. To the child she was everything, and in its little mind her return was the uppermost thought.

Shall we not let a child teach us?
Are we daily humming to ourselves, "A little while, and ye shall see Me!" (John 16:19), as we look for our beloved Lord, longing, oh so much, for Him to come? What a picture of delight would be that child's face when mother was seen coming in fulfilment of her promise! What joy would be in the mother's heart to clasp in her arms her little waiting one!

HIS FAITHFULNESS.

Our Lord Jesus is called "The Faithful Witness" (Rev. 1:5), and He declares Himself "The Truth" (John 14:6). How could it be possible that He should not keep His word? If He did not keep His word, He would lose His character! How it strengthens the heart's confidence as we are told it is "impossible for God to lie" (Heb.6:18).

Firstly, let us notice the explanation the Spirit of God gives - the Lord's "Long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish" (2 Pet.3:9).

Secondly, let us remember how time in the light of eternity, even nineteen hundred years, seems a mere moment. So instead of thinking the time is long, very long, let us stir up ourselves and confess the Hope of His Coming, and waver not. We read,

THE HOPE OF THE CHURCH

These scriptures show what is the real Hope of the Church, that is, what we are looking for. We look for a PERSON to come from Heaven. All that concerns our future is linked up with this Coming One. The Hope is not that when we die we shall go to Heaven. If we die, we shall certainly go there. Neither is the Hope the glorious Millennium. This will come in its due time, and we shall then reign with Christ. What then, precisely, is our hope? Just this: the personal Return of the very same Jesus who came into the world in lowly form to suffer and to die for our sins, "the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Pet. 3:18). It is indeed the Lord Himself who is coming; not Michael the Archangel on His behalf. The Heavenly Bridegroom comes for His Bride and to conduct her home to be ever more with Him. The Thessalonian believers had "turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven" - that heartening, delightsome, and sanctifying prospect with nothing between! We look and wait for Him. After we are gone, the ungodly world will await the appearing of the Man of Sin, the Antichrist; and such fearsome things as the Great Tribulation will follow on. What a striking contrast between the Christian's hope and that of the unbelievers left behind!

COMING INTO THE AIR.

The meeting-place of Christ and His Church will be "in the air." We shall be "caught up" to meet Him there. According to the present law of gravitation this would be impossible, the tendency of a body is towards the earth; jump up and you must come down. But in that coming day the centre of gravity will be changed, in the case of believers, from earth to Heaven; we shall go up. If you scatter on a table a quantity of needles among a larger number of brass pins and suspend over them a powerful magnet, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," up goes every needle to the magnet, counter-acting the law of gravitation. The steel of the needle answers immediately to the strong drawing-power of the magnet: so with Christ and His saints at His Coming.

But not one pin rises, for there is no affinity between the magnet and a pin. The believer is "born again" (John 3:3) and is a "partaker of the Divine nature" (2 Pet.1:4); but the unsaved, who are none of His, are left behind for the coming judgement described in the Book of the Revelation. The suddenness of the Lord's Coming is linkened to the lightning (Luke 17:24), affording no time to get ready then. Now is the time, if the reader is not prepared. At once accet Christ as your Saviour, believing with your heart that He died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and raised again for our justification, and you shall be saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Then you will not have the fear of being left for judgement; but with joy will look for Him whose precious blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Then as we upward fly, That resurrection word Shall be our shout of victory - `For ever with the Lord!'

How shall I meet those eyes?
Mine on Himself I cast, And own myself the Saviour's prize - Mercy from first to last!"

DEAD IN CHRIST RAISED.

The person sleeps not at death, as some falsely suppose.

Only the body "sleeps." What will God bring with Him? He will bring the spirits of His departed people from their present waiting-place with Christ, that they may be "clothed upon" with their resurrection bodies. "The dead in Christ" conveys the thought of the bodies laid to rest, and does not mean the persons are dead. No, their spirits are in the conscious blessedness of their Lord's presence, and He is not in the grave. Death, for the believer, has lost its sting, and no longer is it "the king of terrors" (Job.18:14), but is the servant who opens the door to admit into Heaven the departing one. The body "sleeps," such is the beautiful expression God used in robbing death of its dread.

Christ Himself is the first-fruits of the resurrection, and next in order to Him are they who are His at His Coming. The body which was laid in the grave will arise, but it will be "changed." No more subject to death, corruption, dishonour, weakness - no longer a "natural" body; but alive for ever, incorruptible, glorified, in power - it will be a "spiritual" body; in short, "fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Phil.3:21). The new resurrection body is "spiritual," and this we understand as not meaning something immaterial, but something having real substance, holy and divine.

After our Lord was risen from the deae, He said to His disciples who thought they beheld a spirit, "Handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have" (Luke 24:39). Just what His glorified resurrection body is, so shall the "raised" and "changed" bodies of the redeemed be. "As we have borne the image of the earthy (that is, Adam), we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly" (this is Christ), 1 Cor. 15:49. What a glorious sight in Heaven to behold myriads of ransomed ones in the image of Christ, clothed upon with heavenly glory and faces shining as the sun! Meantime we wait ---

LIVING BELIEVERS CHANGED.

"For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the Coming of the Lord shall not prevent (i.e., go before) them which are asleep" (1 Thess. 4:15). "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor.15:51-52). "Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of His glory" (Phil.3:21, R.V.)

For the certainty of these things, we have the Word of the Lord. At the time of His Coming there will be innumerable bodies of His saints lying buried in the earth, and a lesser number of saints alive and at their ordinary avocation of life. The first thing to happen is the Lord's sudden descent to the air with a shout; the second is the raising of the dead bodies of His redeemed ones and uniting them to their spirits; the third is the changing of the bodies of those alive; the fourth is the "raised" and the "living," having been "changed," are together "caught up to meet the Lord." And all this to take place "in a moment."

No edeemed one is left out; not even a wayward or sleepy one. He comes for everyone belonging to Him, irrespective of their spiritual state. Am I His, or am I not? settles the question. Later on, the matters of our conduct and condition will be examined, to our profit or loss. The Judgement Seat of Christ will be the time and place for that. When God by His power brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, all went out, not so much as a hoof was left behind (Exd.10:26). Were all perfect in character? Alas, many were not! Yet all were His peopole, redeemed by blood; and He brought them out from thence, to bring them into the Promised Land. Sovereign grace it was! And let it be noted that the Lord separated between His people in Goshen and the rest of the land of Egypt, when the plagues fell upon the Egyptians (Exd. 8:22-23).

Somebody may exclaim, "Incredible; my intelligence cannot accept such statements concerning the resurrection."It has not pleased the Creator to give to finite man an intelligence capable of understanding the infinite power of God. There are things impossible to man, with his limited knowledge, to comprehend; these must be accepted by faith till God makes all mysteries plain. "With God nothing shall be imposssible" (Luke 1:37). The supernatural remains, meantime, a mystery; man cannot give the science of it. There can be no difficulty concerning the resurrection when GOD is brought into it. There are things about the origin of life that no scientist has yet explained, nor can he; but all believe in life. There are secrets known alone to God. We have faith in His almighty power, and believing and rejoicing we leave curiosity to the day when we shall bear the image of the Heavenly One.

BOTH CAUGHT UP INTO THE CLOUDS.

A cloud received our Lord when He ascended from His watching disciples and the two shining ones said, "This same Jesus ... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him to into Heaven." In both the Old and New Testaments the atmospheric clouds are often associated with God. When He came down upon Mt. Sinai with the sound of a trumpet exceeding loud, clouds were round about Him, that curious eyes might not gaze upon God. Moses was privileged to go up and enter through those clouds and speak with Him.

When the Lord comes the curious eyes of sinners shall not look upon the secret, holy and joyous meeting of the Bridegroom and the Bride. As the cloud shut out any further view of Jesus from the disciples, so shall we pass through the clouds beyond the sight of the world, to meet Him. They shall not see Him until He comes later to earth, with His glorified saints in power and great glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords; then "every eye shall see Him" (Rev. 1:7).

What a gathering of the ransomed to the Lord in the air! They will come from the four quarters of the earth, from every nation and of every tongue, of every generation - all purchased at the great cost of "the precious blood of Christ," poured out amid the awful sufferings of the Cross. As the merchant man seeking goodly pearls, having found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matt. 13:45-46); so Christ gave Himself - all He had - to obtain what should be a glorious Church, on which to bestow His love, in all its breadth, and length, and depth and height (Eph.3:17-19). Oh, His love is boundless; who can set it forth?

TO BE EVER WITH THE LORD.

When a thousand years have come and gone, we shall only have commenced the enjoyment of the Lord's presence and glory. Ages upon ages will roll on in endless succession. Eternity has no bound, neither is time reckoned by years. There is no night there. Death is destroyed; and sorrow, pain and tears will be no more at all. Because the Lord lives, we shall live also; for we are, in the spiritual sense, parts of Himself, "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" (Eph. 5:30). You cannot separate between Christ and His members.

Can the human mind grasp the full felicity of living together with Him? Very sweet can be the married life of two true souls on earth; and from this we may catch glimpses, though ever so faint, of the happy and eternal union of Christ and His Church. Oh, wondrous grace that set His love upon us! Why, we cannot tell, except as we may say it is "according to the good pleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:5) that He chose us in love. When we shall behold His glory, and the magnificence of the place prepared for us, we shall exclaim as the Queen of Sheba when she saw all the glory of King Solomon, "Behold, the half was not told me; the wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard" (1 Kings 10:7).

SHALL WE KNOW ONE ANOTHER?

To this question there can only be a decided YES. The whole tenor of Scripture confirms it. There is no such thing as losing one's personality and identity. I who have been known on earth in my individuality and accountability will certainly appear the same person in Heaven. This very person, I, whom loved ones and others associated with in our life here below, will be met again in recognition. This is the joy we all look forward to. When death parted us, we felt fully assured it would not be for long, and that a blissful reunion was awaiting us.

By-and-by we shall see our Lord Jesus, and know Him too. In the Kingdom we shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and know which is which. On the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah appeared in glory, the very same two who lived on earth, easily distinguished and recognised by the disciples. Certainly we shall meet in the glory the Old and New Testament worthies of whom we have read, and whose words have so often helped us. How interesting to meet them and know one from the other, and to hear further particulars of their day and testimony. To hear from Enoch of his long, close walk with God; and how Noah bore his testimony to the people before the flood, while the Ark was preparing; to hear Abraham tell of his call from the land of the Chaldees, and of all the things the Lord revealed to him as a friend; to hear from Moses how he chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; also to meet David the sweet psalmist of Israel, whose psalms have been our comfort and delight; Isaiah, who wrote that wonderful 53rd chapter; Daniel who was in the lion's den; Peter, Paul and John and others of the New Testament early days; and of the noble army of martyrs, of whom the world was not worthy.

Every child in our Heavenly Fathers' family has a separate and distinct identity, individually loved of Him. This can never be lost. To lose it would destroy the family aspect, and rob our Heavenly Home of much of its charm. It is by the features, chiefly, that we recognise one another, and to look into the countenance of a loved one, or friend, is a great delight. The features of our glorified bodies will be recognisable from what we remembered on earth, with this change however, the face will be perfect in beauty. What was true of our Lord, after His resurrection, gives the certain clue as to what we are to be. The One who was received up into Heaven, was "this very same Jesus," known and loved by His disciples; His body and features quite recognisable. When He comes again, it will still be "this same Jesus," though changed, in this respect, the body glorified and the face shining as the sun. A shining face is not an unrecognisable face; you see it is the very same dear face, only in perfect health and radiant. Even the rich man in hell recognised Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (Lk.16:19- 31). "Then shall I know, even as also I am known" (1 Cor.13:12), is so very definite that no word of comment is required. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? art not even ye in the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ at His Coming?" (1 Thess. 2:19). It was the thought of meeting these Thessalonian believers that filled Paul with hope and joy, for surely to have this hope fulfilled they must know Paul and Paul must know them.

THE TIME OF HIS COMING.

How often has a time been set for the Lord's Coming, and every time it has proved wrong! Let us beware of fixing dates for this and that future event, prying into what the Father has put in His own power. In the Word we are told much concerning "the last days." By a careful consideration of what we read, and comparing it with the present time, the conclusion becomes certain that His Coming "draweth nigh." We believe this to be a full length we are warranted in going, and anything beyond is mere speculation. Every prediction the Scriptures contain, having reference to the nature and condition of the world at the time ofthe end, leave nothing now to come to pass; the only thing to be said is that the present ungodly state of mankind may not be full-blown. The conclusion that we are near, very near to the moment when the Church shall hear the "shout," is irresistible; therefore we are to watch and be ready for the translation at any time now.

Let us not, however, get the idea we need attempt no fresh enterprise for Christ as He may so soon come; on the contrary, rather put forth fresh energies and plan more service, with increasing devotion and a closer and holier walk with Him. "Blessed is that servant whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing" (Matt.24:46). God has fixed the happy day, and has told us sufficient to indicate that now it is "at hand." Before the sun sets tonight or rises tomorrow morning, we may be gone. What will become of our goods and property? The Public Trust Department will doubtless take it all. It is just as well not to have too much to leave, but to send it on ahead by using all we can for God. This is laying up treasures in Heaven.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIS APPEARING.

1. GODLINESS.
"Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed Hope" (Titus 2:12-13).

2. WATCHFULNESS.
"Let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thess. 5:6).

3. READINESS.
"Wherefore, girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your heart perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet.1:13 R.V.).

4. HOLINESS.
"Every man that hath this Hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure". (1 John 3:3).

5. JOYFULNESS.
"Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory" (1 Pet.1:8).

6. MORTIFICATION.
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth." (Col. 3:4-5).

7. PATIENCE
"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the Coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (Jas. 5:8).

THERE WILL COME SCOFFERS.

Within, especially, the last hundred years, the truth of the Lord's Coming, which had been much lost sight of, has been revived. Among Chsitians of every denomination this glorious Hope has been joyously received by many, and in their lives its blessed effect has been seen in zeal and devotion to Christ, with separation from this evil world and its wicked ways. To the preaching of the Gospel it has given added conviction, many converts testifying it was particularly this truth which awakened them to a sense of their danger and need of salvation - the writer among the number.

Would it not be a surprise if Satan should leave unchallenged such a Hope? Ridicule and indifference are mightier weapons than persecution; these he is using to the fullest extent. And when men give up belief in Christ's Coming, they indulge in worldly lusts "which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Tim.6:9). We must be prepared for these scoffers against the truth; who not only will reject this Hope, but will likewise depart from the faith as a whole (1 Tim.4:1). This is no supposition; it is the express declaration of the Spirit of God. Let us also beware of those who say, "My Lord delayeth His Coming" (Matt. 24:48); it has no sanction in the Scriptures, and tends to the loss of spiritual joy, to slackness in service and carelessness in walk.

WILL THE CHURCH GO THROUGH THE GREAT TRIBULATION?

The Great Tribulation comes within the period when God will be pouring His sore judgements upon this ungodly world. Before He can take vengeance upon the wicked He must take out the Church, the object to His great love, from among them to the haven of refuge above, for they cannot be partakers of the world's condemnation. "Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4), now, in a spiritual sense; then, bodily at His Coming.

When judgement was determined upon the old world, it could not come until the Ark was finished and God had safely shut Noah and his family within it. In the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, nothing could be done before Lot and his two daughters were well away and safe in Zoan. As it was in the days of Noah and of Lot, so it will be, the Lord tells us, when He comes - His own taken out first; afterwards, the righteous judgements from Heaven upon the wicked. Ambassadors are recalled before countries begin hostilities; we are "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20) among the nations, and the ending of this present day of grace and salvation will be signalised by our recall, when the Lord Jesus descends to the air.

Matthew 24, and similar passages, are particularly Jewish in application, as may be clearly seen by the peculiar references to the Jews themselves, to their city Jerusalem, to their country and to their captivity. The sorrows of their long dispersion and fiery trials, will culminate in the woes of the Tribulation. It is "the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it" (Jer. 30:7), as a refining fire. Not only must the Jews taste this Tribulation; but all the wicked nations shall swallow the dregs of its bitter cup (Ps. 75:8). Jews and Gentiles alike will suffer for their rejection of Christ. The Tribulation is, therefore, not for the Church the Bride, seen "coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved" (S. of S. 8:5). True, He said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33); but this is suffering for His sake at the hands of a hostile generation,quite a different thing from the other.

In Revelation, chapter 7, the apostle John saw a great multitude of all nations standing before the throne in Heaven, clothed with white robes. These, he is told, have "come out of the Great Tribulation" (v.14, R.V.). John did not know them, till informed. The Church he had already seen and spoken of, in chapter 5. This company represent the saved after the translation of the Church, believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom of the Son of Man, preached by the faithful remnant from among the Jews, who refuse to receive the mark of the Beast and will not worship his image. These are to serve God in His temple on earth - a remnant of the Gentile nations; whereas the Church will reign with Christ.

From the gloom of the Tribulation let us turn to the sweet words of a pilgrim of long ago, as he viewed the end of the toilsome journey -

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.

After the exceeding joyous meeting in the air of Christ and His redeemed people - the Bridegroom and the Bride - there will take place the manifestation at the Judgement Seat of Christ. This is not the Great White Throne referred to in Revelation 20; those who appear at that judgement are none but the wicked dead; from the first one who died in his sins; unto the last unrepentant sinner. Moreover this does not take place till after the Millennium - the glorious reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, with His saints, for one thousand years.

"We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ ... every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom.14:10-12). The question of our eternal salvation will not be raised there, for that was long since settled at the Cross for every believer. All our sins were laid upon Jesus, and He put them away by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb.9:26). "For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified;" moreover, God has said, "their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb.10:14-17). What peace and rest and joy such words give!

But one may say, "I believe this,m but what about my sins since I became a Christian? will they come up at the Judgement Seat of Christ, even if I confess them now and am forgiven?"

All our sins were in the future when Jesus died for them - our past, present and future sins. The shedding of His precious blood was sufficient for all sins, in God's estimation; so that forgiveness, full and perfect, is granted without reserve, to every sinner who believers; and likewise to every sinning saint who truly confesses their sin now committed. "If we (Christians) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). There can be no more exposure of what is forgiven and cleansed.

If our sins have been against others, this involves a confession to man as well as to God. If settled between one another here, we shall have the Lord's blessing and there is no occasion to bring it up again. If not put right now, we shall be chastened for it and suffer the loss of much present good and fellowship with God. Everything must be put right, sooner or later, and what is not righted now must be righted at the Judgement Seat. It is, however, in this life only that our Heavenly Father punishes His children for wrong-doing, and He has many ways of laying on His hand; "that we should not be condemned with the world" (1 Cor. 11:32).

But at the close of Church's earthly discipline, at the Coming of the Lord, the grand fact of being caught up to meet Him, in new and glorified bodies, completely disposes of all doubt as to the salvation of our souls in God's sight; for in this respect we stand complete in Christ. It is not what I am and what I can do; it is what He is and what He has done, that saves from wrath to come - a vast difference indeed. Oh, how exceedingly wonderful is the salvation of God, and how amazing is His grace toward us!

What then is the true puepose of the Judgement Seat of Christ?

We are "stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet.4:10); for to us has been committed precious deposits of grace to be utilised for God's glory, for the good of others, and for the furtherance of His work on earth. This valuable life of ours with its opportunities; its talents and abilities; its possessions and money and all else we may have; the whole is given us of God as a stewardship, for which we shall give an account in the coming day.

"Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord to Thee. Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose. Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold. Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee!"

In this present life only do we have the opportunity for laying up treasures in Heaven, for gaining everlasting rewards, and, for securing positions of honour and trust in the coming glory. To lose any of this by indifference, carelessness of conduct, and a living unto ourselves instead of unto Him, will be our immeasureable loss that cannot be made up. On the other hand think of what it will mean to them to whom the Lord shall say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord". (Matt.25:21).

All the redeemed family will share equally the Father's perfect love, and the many sweet and glorious privileges of the beautiful Home on high, the eternal abode of His myriad hosts of sons and daughters; but the rewards and the places of honour are given to such as have merited them, in proportion to the degrees of faithfulness.

From 1 Corinthinas 3:10-15, the believer's work is considered as a building, securely resting on the foundation God has laid, whichis Jesus Christ. The building materials are given as gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. The definite instruction given to all, is, "Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." The warning is added, "Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire." Please note, particularly, the wording - every man's "work" of what sort "it" is. It does not say every "man". The building and not the person is what shall be tested; yet it is the person who receives a reward or suffers the loss of one.

The Scripture portion under consideration may be applied two ways; firstly, to those who teach God's people and thus are builders in the Church ; secondly, every believer's life may be regarded as a structure he is erecting.

As to teachers: the main consideration is soundness of doctrine and to keep strictly to the Word, which is the builder's plan and specification. No faithful architect will pass any deviation therefrom, though the work may otherwise seem good and desirable. It must be according to plan if it is to be passed and payment made; no allowance can be made for a builder to use his own discretion. So it will be at the Judgement Seat: every teacher's work will be proved by reference to the Book; not only to see whether it is the right thing, but if the quality of the materials used is up to the standard. How needful is the admonition of the apostle Paul, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed" (2 Tim. 2:15). As the end of the age draws nearer and nearer, so does the departure from "The faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3) becomes more and more evident. Having the end in view our Lord said, "When the Son of Man cometh,shall He find the faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8, R.V.). The reward will be great indeed for those whose work can be described as gold, silver, precious stones; all else, however imposing it may look, is but wood, hay, stubble and will be burned, to the eternal loss of the workman.

As for the individual: be careful of what you are making of life, what you are putting into it. Ever seek "the Kingdom of God and His righteousnes" (Matt. 6:33) and those things which are worthwhile in the light of Heaven; and whatsoever you do let it be done heartily as unto the Lord" (Col.3:23). Remember we are daily influencing others, for good or for evil, and

Put your best into all your work, little or much; it is quality not quantity that counts with Christ, in that day to come. One of the saddest things imaginable is "saved, yet so as by fire," that is, the fiery test has burned all but yourself; you are escaped, but the rest is lost completely.

The idea that the Judgement Seat will be the joyous occasion of the distribution of rewards, the conferring of honours, and the giving of praise and glory to all who deserve it, is far from being the full truth about it. Certainly it will be all this, but more. There will be "hidden things of darkness" come to light, "counsels of the hearts" made manifest (1 Cor. 4:5). The Lord will be judging His people as to their testimony, their works and service down here; approving and disapproving, rewarding and withholding rewards; adjusting all things by His perfect standard and knowledge, and that once for all. Our mistakes will there be rectified; wrong judgements reversed; misunderstandings corrected; ungenerous attempts to impute falsehood or evil where such does not exist, exposed. Ways, words and motives shall then appear in their true light and character.

With everything finally settled and all the Lord's people having received their due, and tears wiped from weeping eyes, then will the eternal glory be ushered in. No cloud will henceforth cross our sky, and no unsettled question eveer arise to dim the joy; sorrow and pain will be felt no more at all. Happy day, that will never have a night!

Though solemn and searching as this subject is in some respects, yet we thank God for the Judgement Seat of Christ. How gloriously will come under review all that His people have suffered for His sake; their deeds of faith and love; blessed works accomplished for Him - nothing overlooked, even to the cup of water (Mark 9:41). How it will all shine in that day; and how unmeasured will be the praise and commendation of the Lord in the full joy of His heart! It will mean much to every saint to have had His mind about all things we did in the body; His correct estimate of their value or otherwise; with the deep feeling of full acquiescence in all His judgement, and without a tinge of jealousy at others receiving more honours than ourselves. Perfectly happy together shall all the saints be, for ever and for ever!

"When jesus comes to reward His servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to Him will He find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us We shall have a glorious rest.

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.

After the Judgement Seat of Christ is over, and all is finalised to His glory, there will come a unique event in Heaven, called "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb." Nothing like has ever been before, nor can there be the like again. In magnificence, glory and significance, it will be without a parallel in all time and in eternity. It is God's supreme effort to celebrate the marriage of His beloved Son with the Bride He loved and gave Himself for. "What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour" (Esther 6:6), shall yet be asked by a greater King than Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia, over 127 provinces. The King Eternal is to do honour to the One who came into this world as the Man Christ Jesus, for the suffering of death, even of the Cross, to obtain eternal redemption for ruined mankind. The celebration will be according to the estate of this Great King, even God the Father.

Though little is found written concerning the Marriage Supper, there is much from which we may draw an idea of it without the overdrawn flight of imagination.

The Lord will be seen in His divine beauty, altogether lovely, fairer than the children of men, with grace poured into His lips; all His garments white and glistening, smelling of myrrh and aloes and cassia; His face shining as the sun in its strength, and His voice as the sound of many waters. Such are Scriptural expressions recorded concerning Him, to convey to us some idea of the loveliness of the bridegroom, whom our souls love! (see Rev. 1: Matt.17; Psa.45).

The Bride (i.e., the Church) with the beauty of her Lord upon her, stands at His right hand (Psa.45:9), all glorious within, her clothing of wrought gold, in raiment of needlework - "a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ... holy and without blemish" (Eph.5:27). Meet companion for Christ! Of her, He testifies, "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee!" (S.of S. 4:7)."Perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee!" (Ezek.16:14). To the Bride it is granted that she shall be arrayed in "the rightousness of saints" which the Revised Version renders "the righteous acts of saints". In some way or other there will be displayed upon each saint something to indicate what was declared at the Judgement Seat as "righteous acts," a special adornment that will be worn and will shine resplendent with glory for ever, differing in nature and lustre according to the value the Lord will set upon it.

There are those who are "called" unto the Marriage - the wedding guests. Who are they? There will be in Heaven a great multitude of the Old Testament saints, sharers in the first resurrection at the Lord's Coming, though forming no part of the Church. They are friends of the Bridegroom; as John the Baptist spoke of himself (John 3:29) and as God spoke of Abraham (2 Chron.20:7). We may safely assume that this redeemed multitude will be called and honoured guests at the Supper.

There are angels, an innumerable company - myriads of them; beautiful and perfect beings, who never knew sin. These serve, carrying out every behest of their Creator.

"As the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable" (Heb.11:12), such will be the vast company of the redeemed assembled at the Marriage Supper, plus the myriads of the attendant angels. The magnitude of the number is staggering, the brain reels with the thought.

God speaks to us in language and terms suited to our intelligence, to convey heavenly things; yet the things themselves far exceed human symbols. We can form a picture of a Marriage Supper provided by a great earthly Potentate, on an unsurpassed scale in size, grandeur and expense. Apply this to what is coming in Heaven, remembering that the difference is as great as Heaven compared with earth, and as God compared with man. Again we shall say with the Queen of Sheba, "the half was not told me." The ordering of the Supper, and what we shall partake of when all sit down together, cannot be told; we wait to see. Sure it is that all present will marvel at the display, and praise our God for the wonders of His love.

Then shall our adorable Saviour and Lord behold His Bride and the assembled guests, in all the value and completeness of His atonement upon the Cross; and thus viewing the travail of His soul, "shall be satisfied;" and the Bride, in His likeness, shall also be "satisfied" (Isa.53:11; Psa.17:15). Ours will be "joy unspeakable" (1 Pet.1:8); His will be "exceeding joy" (Jude 24) - joy far excelling all joy! "As the Bridegroom rejoiceth over the Bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee" (Isa.62:5) "He will joy over thee with singing" (Zeph. 3:17). Our finite mind can but feebly realise the glory, the display, and the happiness of the Marriage Supper. What will it be to be there? And God the Father, who will arrange it all "according to the good pleasure of His will," shall thus honour His beloved Son. Nothing will be lacking; it will be the utmost display of the Father's delight, the riches of His glory and of His excellent majesty, with "royal wine" (divine joy) in abundance. As for the Bride (the church), she is the gift of His love to His Son; and in that day will it be realised how choice is the gift! Then will this scripture have its perfect fulfilment, "I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house,and His banner over me was love" (S.of S. 2:3-4).

COMING WITH CHRIST TO REIGN.

The Holy Scriptures abound with prophecy concerning the coming kingdom and reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His saints reigning with Him. The glory and prosperity of this kingdom will purpass all that has been seen on earth before, extending for one thousand years. The reign of King Solomon was magnificent, but it pales before Christ's reign as a torch pales in the glorious light of the sun at its strength. All the earth will be subdued; and all nations, peoples and tongues will bow before the Divine sceptre. The great enemy of God and man, and instigator to sin - Satan - will be bound in the "bottomless pit" during the Millennium (Rev. 20:1). The earth will yield its fruits in abundance and the desert shall blossom as the rose. Sickness and disease will be reduced to ao minimum, and great longevity will prevail as before the Deluge. Death will not be abolished, though there will be no more an infant of days, nor an old man that has not filled his days; people shall build and plant and live on indefinitely to enjoy the fruits of their labour. The knowledge and glory of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab.2:14). His ancient people Israel will be reinstated in God's favour, and shall again possess their land unto the extended borders, as originally promised to the patriarchs. Instead of being the tail among nations, they shall be the head; Jerusalem shall be the world's metropolis, a thing of beauty in the eyes of all people, the city of the Great King; and also it shall be called Jehovah-shammah, meaning "The Lord is there." Restored Israel will then be a blessing to the whole earth, as a dew from Heaven.

After the Marriage Supper, with all its heavenly festivity, is ended, the time arrives for the Son of God to receive from His Father the kingdom appointed Him. "There was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His kingdom is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14). A marvellous and comprehensive view of the King and the kingdom is given in Psalms 72, 97, 98, 99 and 100; these should be read a pondered, which will greatly enlarge our conception of the glories that are coming upon the earth when Christ shall reign.

But the kingdoms of this world will be in the hands of Satan the usurper, with all his power and defiance of God. His power must first be broken, and all hostile opposition destroyed, and the rebels slain. This will be our Lord's first accomplishment when He comes from the Marriage Supper with power and great glory, accompanied by His saints and the armies of Heaven (Rev. 19:11- 21). "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen". (Rev. 1:7). Well might they wail!

After the battle the remnants of the nations are gathered before the Conqueror, and He divides them as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats, according to His judgement based upon their treatment of the Jews - "My brethren." One company is addressed as "Blessed of My Father: inherit the kingdom;" the other is denounced in the words "Depart from Me, ye cursed into everlasting fire." (Read Matt. 25:31-46.) Then will He "gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire...then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kindgom of their Father" (Matt.13:41-43). Now when all things are subdued, the whole earth will be at rest and be quiet, and they will break forth into singing. There will be "neither adversary nor evil occurrent," in the universal realm of the King of kings. (Isa.14:1; 1 Kings 5:4).

We cannot enlarge further upon this deeply interesting and wonderful subject; the theme is too vast to attempt more than this short outline, which may suffice to indicate somewhat the nature of the coming Kingdom and the joy it will be with Christ to reign. Details must largely be left to when we are reigning with Him. We anticipate the time with an ecstacty of delight, and can form grand ideas of such a reign. All our Lord's kingly administration and His glories will he share with His Bride, for naught will He do without her participation, and in no place will He be found apart from her company.

In all of the glories the riches and the honours bestowed upon Him are the One worthy to receive it, we, His redeemed ones, are "joint-heirs" with Him (Rom. 8:17).

The truth of it all becomes overpowering, and we are amazed that such grace should be bestowed upon us, who once were sinners and enemies of God, but now reconciled and sins forgiven for Jesus' sake. Well does He deserve all the exaltation and blessedness coming to Him, for His sufferings and death upon the Cross. Unspeakable was the anguish of His soul in enduring the terrors of Divine judgement, as the Bearer of our sins, waves and billows of wrath passing over Him (Ps.42:7). "It is finished!" at last He cried (John 19:30); and thus by the offering up of Himself to God, an eternal redemption is provided for all who believe upon Him (Heb.9:12), such believers being accepted of God in the full value of the precious blood shed for the cleansing of sin. (Eph.1:6).

"Head of the new Creation, Son of the living God! Captain of our salvation, Who shed'st for us Thy blood; Emmanuel, Son of David, The woman's blessed Seed; Thy heel the serpent bruised, Whilst Thou didst bruise his head.

Thy Cross and shame are over, And all redemption's toil; Thy conquests are eternal - Unfading is the spoil: The fame of Thy achievements Dies not upon the ear Of friend or foe for ever, For both that fame must hear

Soon shall the heavens reveal Thee In all Thy glorious might, In all Thy Father's glory, And that of angels bright! Then shall the Church, beside Thee - Bride of Thy heart's delight - Sit on Thy throne of glory, All beauteous in Thy sight!

Lo! He comes, with clouds descending, Once for favoured sinners slain; Thousand thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of His train: Hallelujah! Jesus comes, and comes to reign!

Yes, Amen! let all adore Thee, High on Thine eternal throne; Saviour, take the power and glory, Claim the kingdom for Thine own; Oh, come quickly! Hallelujah! come, Lord, come."

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE.

The following outline sets forth in brief the coming events in their order, as stated in the Scriptures;
this will be of some assistance to the reader concerning what has already been written:

The Lord's Coming is in two stages.

First stage, to the air, when all who are Christ's shall be caught up to meet Him.

Second stage, to the earth to reign. In this latter stage His saints, previously glorified, will come with Him. That the two stages are not at one and the same time, but have an interval betweeen, seems evidently to be the teaching of the Word.

After the translation of the Church from earth to the meeting place in the air (1 Thess.4:17), the Judgement Seat of Christ is set up in Heaven, when the lives and service of His people will be manifested, and the rewards given for faithfulness, and losses suffered for negligence (2 Cor.5:10); followed by the Marriage Supper (Rev. 19:9).

While this is going on in heaven, there will be on earth the revival of the old Roman Empire in the form of a ten-kingdom confederation (Daniel 7:24; Rev.17:12); the Antichrist will appear in full Satanic power; the apostacy from the faith will become full-blown (2 Thess.2:3-12); the Jews will be back in their ancient land in unbelief; the judgements of the "seals," the "trumpets" and the "vials" of Revelation, chapters 6, 8 and 16 will be running their destructive course in the Great Tribulation, trying all flesh. Afterwards, the Lord Jesus Christ will come to earth with power and great glory, in accord with Old Testament prophecy, His saints with Him. Then will He destroy Antichrist, smash the Roman Empire, subdue all the power of the enemy, deliver the faithful Jewish Remnant from their oppressors, judge the nations and establish His own Kingdom over all the world, which is the thousand years reign - the Millennium.

It will avoid confusion and clear up many difficulties if we ever remember that the Old Testament references to Christ's Coming, refer to His coming to the earth and in relation to Israel, the nations and the new kingdom. The references in the New Testament are, for the most part, concerning the calling up of the saints to meet the Lord in the air, thence proceeding to Heaven. The Church forms no part of Old Testament prophecy; for it was a mystery kept secret till this present Christian era, and fully revealed first to Paul the apostle to the Gentiles.

But in the New Testament we must endeavour to avoid confusion too. The Coming of the Lord FOR His people is distinct from
(1) "The Day of the Lord;"
(2) "The Day of Christ;"
(3) "the Coming of the Son of Man," and
(4) "the Day of God." Numbers 1 and 2 related to when He shall be exercising His power, authority and judgement over the world; number 3 is His coming to the earth WITH His saints to reign; number 4 is the period of God's final judgement of Satan at the close of the Millennium, and the destruction by fire of the heavens and the earth, followed by the New Creation - the beginning of the Eternal State.

This, in brief outline, is in accord with the dispensational teaching of the Scriptures, "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Tim.2:15), so we understand. It is also the generally accepted teaching of the best Bible students.

Source: Endtime Ministries, Australia. They do not endorse the use of the RSV today in preference to the KJV.

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