Page 93 - Jesus is coming - Class version

90 JESUS 18 COMING.

derstand the glory of the Kingdom, which should follow,
but could not understand the mystery, which has been re-
vealed unto us, and which interested the angels; to- wit, a
suffering Messiah and a persecuted Church.
The Church is to be the Bride of Christ, which He is
going to present unto Himself. Eph. 5:23-32.
But now she is a Virgin of sorrow and affliction, a com-
panion in suffering with her espoused Husband the Lord
24
Jesus Christ.
He said: "Because ye are not of the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth
you," and "if they have persecuted me, they will also per-
secute you" (John 15:19-20), and "in the world ye shall
have tribulation" (John 16:33), and the apostle says,
"yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12. See also John 17:14; 1 Thes.
25
3:3. And this is perfectly consistent. For this world
has murdered the Son of God, and is guilty of His blood,
but the Father bears this insult to His matchless love and
grace, patiently staying the day of vengeance, being long
20
suffering and not willing that any should perish.
If He thus bears with the murderers of His Son, will
He not bear with the persecutors of His Church?
And this persecution will continue until Jesus comes
and takes the Church away, 27 and saves her from the
great hour of temptation (or trial), which shall come upon
(24) 2 Cor. 11:2. For I am is not slack concerning his prom-
jealous over you with godly jeal- ise, as some men count slack-
ousy : for I have espoused you ness ; but is longsuffering to us-
to one husband, that I may pre- ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come
sent you as a chaste virgin to
Christ. to repentance.
(25) John 17:14. I have (27) 1 Tfoea. 4:16. For the
given them thy word ; and the Lord himself shall descend from
world hath hated them, because heaven with a shout with the
voice of the archangel, and with
,
they are not of the world, even * '
,,,
,
,
the trump of Qod and the
as I am not of the world.
,j ea(i jn Christ shall rise first ;
1 Thes. 3 :3. That no man 17. Then we which are alive
should be moved by these at- and remain shall be caught up
that we are appointed thereunto. ^f .,^^
V^S ^
know
!?**
yourselves
for
*M
flictions :
(26) 2 Pet. 3:9. The Lord the Lord.