That which should characterize the saints is not merely holding the doctrine of the Lord’s coming, as that which they believe, but their souls should be in the daily attitude of waiting, expecting and desiring His coming! But why? That they may see Himself and be with Him and like Him forever — not because the world which has been so hostile to them is going to be judged, though God will smite the wicked.
It is true that there will be mercy to those who are spared. But we have obtained mercy now, and we are, therefore, waiting for Himself, for what He is in Himself to us, and not because of judgment. That would not be joy to me, though it will be to some on the earth, for “in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps” (Isa. 30:3232And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. (Isaiah 30:32)). This is not our hope, but simply waiting for Himself. The whole walk and character of a saint depends on this, on his waiting for the Lord. Everyone should be able to read us by this, as having nothing to do in this world, but to get through it, and not as having any portion in it but as those who have “turned from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven.” This is thought a strange thing now, but the Thessalonians were converted to this hope — for they belonged to a world which had rejected God’s Son; therefore, they had to turn from these idols to serve the true and living God and to wait for His Son from heaven.
Waiting for the Lord
What I desire to press upon you all and myself too is the individual waiting for the Lord, not as a doctrine merely, but as a daily waiting for Himself. Whatever the Lord’s will may be, I should like Him to find me doing it when He comes. But that is not the question, but am I waiting for Himself day by day? In the second chapter of Thessalonians, the hope is connected with ministry: “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (vs. 19). Then Paul would get the reward of his service to the saints. Then in the third chapter, the hope is connected with our walk, as a motive for holiness: “Unblamable in holiness, before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all His saints” (vs. 13). Then in the fourth chapter, the doctrine of the hope is unfolded; the manner of it comes out: “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: then 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” (vss. 16-17).
A Present Expectation
Thus we see what a present expectation the coming of the Lord was; therefore Paul says, “WE which are alive and remain.” But why does he say “WE”? Because he expected it then. That was Paul’s character then, that of waiting for the Lord. And does he lose that character, because he, died before He came? No, not at all.
Though Paul had a revelation that he should put off the tabernacle of his body, yet did he daily wait for the Lord’s coming then, and that will be Paul’s character when the Lord does come; he will lose nothing by his death. “Be ye like unto men that wait for their Lord.” The character of their waiting was to be like servants at the hall door, that when the master knocked, they were ready to open to Him immediately. It is a figure, of course, here, but it is the present power of the expectation that is alluded to. And the ruin of the church has come in by practically saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” “Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching” (Luke 12:3737Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37)).
Loins Girded and Lights Burning
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning” (Luke 12:3535Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (Luke 12:35)). “Your loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:1414Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:14)) for service. You must not let your garments flow loose; that is, you must not let your thoughts and affections flow abroad, but be ready, with your garments well girt up and your lights burning. This is not a time of rest, for it is an exceedingly tiring thing to have to sit up and watch through a long, dark night. But in the spirit of service, the heart, affections, thoughts, feelings and desires must all be girt up. And this requires painstaking not to let the flesh go its own way, for it is a great comfort sometimes to do this, if only for a moment, but if we do we shall surely fall asleep like the virgins. As the virgins went to sleep with their oil in their lamps, so we may go to sleep, those of us who are spared. But we have obtained mercy now and are, therefore, waiting for Himself, for what He is in Himself to us, and not just because of being spared from judgment. That would not be joy to me, though it will be to some on the earth, for “in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps” (Isa. 30:3232And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. (Isaiah 30:32)). This is not our hope, but simply waiting for Himself. The whole walk and character of a saint depends on this, that is, on his waiting for the Lord. Everyone should be able to read us by this, as having nothing to do in this world, but to get through it, and not as having any portion in it: Turned from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven.” This is thought a strange thing now, but the Thessalonians were converted to this hope — for they had belonged to a world which rejected God’s Son; therefore, they had to turn from these idols to serve the true and living God and to wait for His Son from heaven.
J. N. Darby (adapted)