NOTES by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 33.

NOTES.

By M. C. W.

TO wait for Christ's second coming is to occupy a position of constant expectation. It could not be said that we were in a waiting position for a train of cars unless we had reached the station, and were ready for the train when it should arrive. Some will be prepared when the Lord comes, and such only can be said to be waiting.

THE parable of the unfaithful steward is one of the greatest importance. It shows that some will be teaching that the time has come to get ready for Christ's coming—to sell and give alms. They urge the necessity of immediate preparation for the event, while the unfaithful servant reasons that there is no necessity of being so much stirred up about the matter. He complains of the straight testimony, and he pursues the course of those who do not profess the truth at all; yet he claims to believe the same as the others, but in his heart he does not, and he shows it in two ways: First, he says that the preaching to move at once and act as though the day of the Lord was right upon us is too strong; second, his life is the same as those who do not make any profession at all. The first is to beat his men-servants; the second, to eat and drink with the drunken.

IF there is anything which ought to arouse a follower of Christ, it is that his Master and Redeemer is coming again to gather home his people unto himself, and end the long unequal conflict with the powers of darkness. If there is anything which ought to lead one to consecrate himself and his all to the service of God, it is that he has but a short time to labor for the Lord. Christ left Heaven with its ineffable glory, took upon him the form of a servant, was made in the likeness of men, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And all this was for us, that he might redeem us. And now, when he has revealed to us that it is but a little time to his coming, how earnest, how diligent ought we to be! This is our last opportunity to show how much we believe him before faith is lost in sight; the last and only time we can show how much we appreciate his love, before our trial ends. Shall it not be improved? Will not hope in his near coming, and our love for him, increase our zeal?

WHEN Christ comes, and not till then, does he save eternally. When, then, it is said that his "salvation is near to come" (Isa. 56: 1), "his arm brought salvation," at which time he puts on the garments of vengeance" (Isa. 59: 16, 17), and that "redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28), it means that Christ's second coming is near. There is salvation from temporary difficulties, salvation from sin, but full and eternal salvation only comes when Christ comes the second time.

SURELY the Lord could not give more positive assurance in regard to the time of his coming than he has. We may not know the exact time, or as it may be rendered "no man maketh known;" yet we may know when it is near, even at the doors. To say, then, that we can know nothing about Christ's coming is to belie the words of our Saviour; and to say that we do know nothing about it is an acknowledgment that we are not his disciples; for his disciples continue in his word. John 8:31. And of these very words of our Lord, he himself says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35.

AT the time when the Lord's angel slew the first-born of Egypt, he passed over the houses of the faithful. The blood was upon the door post, or the first-born would have been slain. They did not know just the moment when the angel would

come, but they knew when he would be near, and they were ready. The token of favor, the sprinkled blood was there, the loins were girded for the hasty journey. If the flowing robes were allowed to hang loosely it would impede their progress, unnecessarily weary them, and perhaps cause them to stumble. For that reason a girdle was put outside about the body to hold the clothing in place.

THERE must be the same readiness on the part of Christians. They must be ready for all things. When probation closes, when our Saviour comes out from the wedding, his last priestly act done, if it be found that his blood has not been applied to the cleansing of our souls, we will be lost forever. Our loins must be girt about with truth. Eph. 6: 14. This does not mean any special truth, but the whole truth, that consistency of belief which holds all doctrines, all beliefs, together, and brings each to its proper place. He who truly believes in the near coming of Christ according to the Bible is a marked man. He will be known by all around him.

"STEWARD" in Luke 12:42 doubtless refers to those who minister the treasures of God's truth to the flock. Meat, or food, in due season means truth fitting and important for the time. The faithful steward of God's word in the time near Christ's coming will dispense the truth which the flock need, and of which God's storehouse—the Bible—is full.

BUT "steward" has a wider meaning. As every man hath received "a gift" is the revised version of 1 Peter 4:10. That is every one of the people of God is given some one precious gift of his Spirit as noticed in our last. It is therefore the duty of every one to minister this gift to others. It refers to money and means as well as gifts of mind and heart.

THE evil servants were the worst kind of unbelievers, they were hypocrites. A hypocrite is an unbeliever who professes, for some selfish motive, to believe. His false profession is adding falsehood to unbelief. His hypocrisy shuts out all hope of reconciliation with God. He cannot be reached just as long as he holds to his profession, and he will not humble himself to confess that he is a poor unbelieving sinner. "If ye were blind," says Jesus to the hypocritical Jews, "ye should have no sin [he would take it away]; but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John 9:41.

GREATER light shines upon the people of God in the last generation than in any previous one. They have the record of the past dealings of God with his people, they have the fulfilling prophecies, with constantly increasing confirmation of the truth of God, with all the light of restored practical truth. Greater responsibility therefore rests upon them; and great grace will be given through the Coming One for the faithful discharge of these responsibilities. The riches of God's grace will be given according to the riches of his glory.

M. C. W.