TEXT: Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14: 1–3.
Jesus was soon to leave his disciples and ascend to the Father. And in his words of instruction and consolation he was preparing their minds for that event which would be a grief to them. His presence constituted their joy. His absence would be their sorrow. “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” Matt. 9: 15. The real friends of our Lord will ever desire his tangible presence. Worldly professors, whose affections are placed upon the things of this life, will enjoy his absence quite as well. And while a worldly church may treat with indifference, or reject, or even scoff at, the Bible doctrine of the soon return of the Lord, those who truly love their divine Master will receive the word relative to his coming with all gladness.
Our Lord was tenderly introducing to his disciples the subject of his ascent to Heaven. “Little children, yet a little while I am with you.” John 13: 33. “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” Verse 36. This statement caused distress and consternation in the minds of the disciples, and led Peter to say to his Lord, “Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.” Verse 37. Then follow the comforting words of the text, assuring the sorrowing disciples that their Lord would come again, and receive them to himself. With such a faith and hope, the waiting church of Jesus Christ may well sing:—
“How bright the vision! Oh! how long
Shall this glad hour delay?
Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time,
And bring the welcome day.”
And while the church waits in joyous expectation of speedy deliverance, her Lord “saith, Surely, I come quickly,” to which the church responds, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22: 20. The certainty of the second advent of Christ, the manner and object of his coming, and the nearness of the event, are points of thrilling interest to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.