Page 73 - Jesus is coming - Class version
P. 73
TO JESUS IS COMING.
to the unseen domain of Paradise, they have left us the
written Word, their reiterated traditions (teachings handed
down), and their great hope. So we take up their vigil,
hopefuity watching, not daring to say that He will come to-
morrow, nor a thousand years hence, but only this are we
7
sure oi , He may come now.
Expectancy.
God has held this glorious hope constantly before the
Church, to keep her in her proper attitude of expectancy
and longing, until the Bridegroom comes. Like Israel in
the wilderness, we should realize that we are pilgrims and
strangers, seeking a Land, a City, and a King, which are
beyond our Jordan of death and resurrection.
Death and Resurrection is the common lot of the great
mass of the Church. But, of course, there will be some liv-
42
ing when Christ comes, who will not die but be changed
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in a moment, and be caught up, like Elijah, with the
raised saints to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thes. 4:16-18.
when he will return from the (42) 1 Thes. 4:15. For this
that, when he cometh
wedding ; we say unto you by the word of
and knocketh, they may open the Lord, that we which are
unto him immediately. alive and remain unto the com-
37. Blessed are those servants, ing of the Lord shall not pre-
whom the lord when he cometh vent them which are asleep,
shall find watching : verily I say 16. For the Lord himself shall
unto you, that he shall gird him- descend from heaven with a
self, and make them to sit down shout, with the voice of the arch-
to meat, and will come forth and and with
angel, the trump of
serve them. God : and the dead in Christ
38. And if he shall come in shall rise first:
the second watch, or come in the 17. Then we which are alive
third watch, and find them so, and remain shall be caught up
blessed are those servants. together with them in the clouds,
39. And this know, that If the to meet the Lord in the air : and
goodman of the house had known so shall we ever be with the
what hour the thief would come, Lord.
he would have watched, and not 18. Wherefore comfort one an-
have suffered his house to be other with these words.
broken through. (43) 1 Cor. 15:51. Behold, I
40. Be ye therefore ready shew you a mystery ; We shall
also : for the Son of man cometh not all sleep, but we shall all
at an hour when ye think not. be changed,
Heb. 10 :37. For yet a little 52. In a moment, in the twink
while, and he that shall come ling of an eye, at the last trump :
will come, and will not tarry. for the trumpet shall sound, ana