We have now entered a new year, and the question in everyone’s mind, if not on his lips, is,
“What will this year bring?”
It is not without reason that such a question arises, for the last few years have been filled with startling events. Never before in all the history of the world have things moved with such lightning speed. In the past decade, we have witnessed changes that we might have expected would take centuries for development.
Man’s inventions and cries for speed and more speed, have brought all the inhabitants of the world closer together. There are almost no “remote” parts of the world left. Backward and hitherto unimportant peoples have suddenly become important. Jungles have been proved to be anything but “impenetrable barriers,” and wide oceans now afford scanty protection and comfort. People may well cry.
“What is next?” and
“Where is all this leading?”
In the light of the Word of God, we can speak with real assurance. All of these rapidly developing changes are leading on to certain definite happenings of more than major importance.
Present strides are as but signposts pointing ahead. Events more astounding than anything yet seen, are coming. Incidents without precedent are in store for this world, and there is nothing that man can do to stop them.
There is one sure and certain event of great magnitude that is coming soon—very soon. In fact, before this paper is delivered it may have taken place. The Lord Jesus is coming! He will give that shout in the air which will call all who are sheltered by His precious blood, to meet Him in the clouds, and accompany Him to the Father’s House, to be forever with and like Himself (1 Thess. 4:16-1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17); 1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)).
It has been a long time since He promised to do this (John 14:33And 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 14:3)), but the actual fulfillment is very, very close at hand. This will be a most glorious event for each of the redeemed, for they will leave the world and its confusion and strife behind, and be ushered into His presence, where there is fullness of joy for evermore (Psa. 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)).
Fellow Christian, do our hearts thrill at the thought of seeing the one who loves us and died for us? Does the prospect, that even “today” He may come, lift our poor hearts above the world’s joys and sorrows? If the prospect of seeing Him does not awaken response in our hearts, then they have grown cold toward Him. If we are in such a sad condition, we should confess it before Him, and desire to have our hearts warmed. He gave “Himself”—not just something of great value and dearly prized by Him, but Himself—to win our heart’s affection; and He feels it when response from us is lacking.
May He grant us grace to walk more in the enjoyment of His love, that our hearts may in some small degree return that love. Then we shall wait and watch for His coming with joyful anticipation.
While we thus wait; may we serve Him more faithfully, and live Christ before others. He is worthy of all we have and are.
Brethren, the Lord is a God of Knowledge; He knows when our hearts are cold and when they are not. He also knows all about our service and faithfulness, and before long He will abundantly reward everything done for Him.
But unsaved friend—rejector or neglector of the Saviour—His coming will spell consternation and doom for you, and the godless world. It will be a sad day for this world when the true Christians are taken out of it; for when they are taken, the Spirit of God who now dwells in the believers, will leave also.
At the present time, that wondrous Person is holding in check the evil that threatens to engulf the world. The powers of darkness are being restrained; but when that restraint is gone, the dams which man has constructed to hold back those tidal waves, will break. The devil will fill this world with “corruption and violence,” and God will send a lie for man to believe because he refused to receive the truth (2 Thess. 2:11-1211And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11‑12)).
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains: and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:15-1715And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:15‑17)).
May these momentous facts solemnize each heart.