BE YE ALSO READY by H. M. Kenyon

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 12, 1860

BE YE ALSO READY.

By H. M. Kenyon

"Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. xxiv, 44.

That this language is addressed to the church, is evident. It was a private interview between Christ and his disciples. "The disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us when shall these things be," &c. We find in this chapter a series of events marked out by which the traveler on the world's highway, traveling to mount Zion, may know his whereabouts, and how far he is from home. "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree. When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it (margin, he) is near even at the doors." Luke tells us that when the fig-tree putteth forth leaves, we know of our own selves that summer is nigh. Thus we may know when we see these signs fulfilled, of ourselves, that our redemption draweth nigh.

Although the evidences may be so clear, yet there seems to be danger of our being deceived, and coming short of the prize at last. We are told by Luke how we may be deceived. He says, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."

We have one common foe, who, although he failed to allure the Son of God from his purpose, and frustrate the plan of salvation, is none the less vigilant and active in bringing his forces to bear against those who are striving to follow their Leader, and make their way through this world of sin and sorrow to that land of rest, where sickness, sorrow, pain and death, shall never come. The last effort which Satan made with our Lord, which undoubtedly was the strongest, was, that if he would fall down and worship him, he would give him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. But Jesus met him with the words that are written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." But how often is it the case, that we let this world, with all its cares and perplexities, almost imperceptibly get into our hearts, and before we are aware of it, we are following, step by step, the fashions and maxims of the world, until we are more the servants of the world than the servants of God.

There is a way marked out in which we may resist all these temptations. Jesus has been tempted in all points even as we are, and is able to succor all those that are tempted. When Jesus was about to leave his disciples he said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John xvi, 33. We must cast all our care on him, for he careth for us. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith. 1 Pet. v, 7-9. For this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John v, 4. The promise to the overcomer is, "He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I have overcome and am set down with my Father in his throne." Precious promise to the overcomer! If we would overcome we must be watchful and prayerful, and ever on our guard. The perils of the last days are upon us. Satan has come down with great power, knowing his time is short, and in view of these things how necessary it is that we heed the command of Christ, Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matt. xxiv, 42. Paul, speaking of the coming of the day of the Lord, says, Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thess. v, 6. And the testimony of Peter is, But the end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.

May the Lord help us to present ourselves and all that we have unto him, a living sacrifice, and be not conformed to this world (for says James, He that is a friend of the world, is an enemy of God), but have our loins girt about with truth, and our lights burning, and get in readiness, that when our Lord shall come we may say, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us.

H. M. Kenyon.

Monterey, Allegan Co., Mich.