Desiring the Lord's Coming.
By William Bates
‘Twas the character of believers of the Old Testament: they waited for the consolation of Israel. ‘Tis the description of the saints in the New; they love the appearance of Christ. If they longed for his coming in the flesh, though it was attended with all the circumstances of meanness and dishonor, the effects of our sins, with what ardent and impatient desires should we hasten his coming in glory, “when he shall appear the second time to them that look for him, without sin, unto salvation!” Heb. ix, 28.—Then he will put an end to all the disorder of the world, and begin the glorious state wherein holiness and righteousness shall be crowned and reign for ever. The Christian Church joins in that ardent address to the Saviour.—“O that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains may flow down at thy presence! As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence.” Isa. lxiv, 1, 2. Although the beauty and frame of this visible world shall be destroyed, yet that dreadful day shall be joyful to the saints. For then all the preparations of infinite wisdom and goodness, the things that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, shall be the everlasting portion of those who love God. Come, Lord Jesus.—Bates’ Harmony of the Divine Attributes.