Watching for Christ’s Return
cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, watch.” Again in Rev. 16 : 15 the Lord says, “Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Now, are we, as believers, all watching? Are we earnestly longing for the return of that blessed One? Do our hearts truly yearn after him, and long for his glorious appearing? Are we also doing our part to hasten his coming? And is it habitually our prayer that the Lord will be pleased to hasten the fulfillment of the events yet to be fulfilled before that day comes? And now the last part of our subject remains to be considered, namely, the practical effect this truth should have upon our hearts. If it be really received and entered into, the child of God will say, “What can I do for my blessed Saviour before he comes again? How can I most glorify him? His will concerning me is that I should occupy ‘until he come.’ How then can I best use for him the talents with which I am entrusted, my physical strength, my mental powers? How can my sight, my tongue, all my faculties of mind and body, be best devoted to his praise? How should my time, my money, all that I am and have, be used for him? How can my whole spirit soul and body be best consecrated to his service?” These are deeply important practical questions, which all believers in the Lord Jesus should ask themselves, seeing that we are not our own, but are bought with a price, even with his precious blood. Instead of indulging in inactivity and listlessness, on account of the evil state of things around us, we should pray and work, and work and pray, as if it were in our power to stem the torrent of abounding iniquity; for who can say how much good one single child of God who is thoroughly in earnest, may accomplish; and how greatly he may glorify God by walking in entire separation from all that is hateful to him? We have especially also to guard against the temptation of slackening our efforts for the conversion of sinners, because the world will not be converted before Jesus comes. Rather should we say, “The time that he delayeth his coming may be short; what therefore can I do to warn sinners, and to win souls for him?” In conclusion, I would direct attention to 2 Peter 3 : 11–14: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming (or hastening the coming) of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.” As assuredly as the practical character of the Lord’s second coming is really apprehended in the power of it, the most blessed effects upon the life and deportment of Christians will follow. By means of it we are taught what awaits the world lying in the wicked one, and what will be the end of all this world’s glory, pride, and pomp. The future destiny of the children of God is also unfolded to us, even that we shall be perfectly conformed to the image of our risen Lord, both in soul and body, when we shall see him as he is. Then shall we enter upon the possession of our inheritance, which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away; and shall be seated with Jesus on his throne (Rev. 3 : 21), to judge the world in union with him, and to spend a happy eternity together with our Lord in glory. “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22 : 12.—Messiah’s Herald.