IN THIS WORLD, TRIBULATION.
THE Bible has nowhere contradicted the declaration of Christ to his disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” John xvi, 33. The whole spirit as well as the letter of the Scriptures, shows that God’s people are not to expect any “continuing city” in this world. Their eye of hope has ever been directed to things beyond the present life. There is no promise, not one, of a time of general rest to God’s people before the second coming of Christ at the last day. The “redemption” for which they are encouraged to “lift up their heads,” is something more than a mere temporary cessation or alleviation of their sufferings in this world. They are taught to look for their redemption from sufferings, and their final blessedness, in connection with their reception of “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time; wherein we greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) we are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of our faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. i, 4–7 and 13. See also Eph. i, 10–14. During the whole period of existence in this sinful world the saints are represented as groaning within themselves, “waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption” of their “bodies.” Rom. viii, 23. While dwelling in the “earthly house of this tabernacle,” they “groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with their house which is from heaven.” 2 Cor. v, 1, 2. They are taught to expect entire redemption from all the sufferings of the present state by being admitted into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord. But they were not to expect this until the return of the Lord Jesus. He goes to prepare a place for them, and he will come unto them again and receive them unto himself. John xiv, 3. But previous to his coming, he has declared that there should be the signs in the heavens, and in the earth and sea, which are recorded in Matt. xxiv, 29. All these events should transpire in rapid succession; and they should usher in his final coming to fulfill his promises to the elect, by gathering them together from the four winds of heaven. It is then that the servants that have improved their talents shall “enter into the joy of their Lord.” Chapter xxv, 14–23. “Then shall the king say to them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Chapter xxv, 34. This will be the time of redemption to the saints. The very things that alarm the ungodly and certify them of their doom, shall comfort the saints and certify them of the coming of their Lord to save them. And when these things begin to come to pass, they are to look up and lift up their heads for their redemption draweth nigh; these events which immediately precede the second advent will not be long in their fulfillment; and as soon as the Son of man cometh, the kingdom shall be given to the saints to possess it forever.—Our Lord’s Great Prophecy, p. 383.