GLORY
BEGUN BELOW.
BY STEPHEN H. TYNG, JR., D.D.
In our
present meditation we propose to suggest, as the words of the Spirit shall
guide us, some of the practical effects upon Christian character and life, of a
steadfast anticipation of the appearing of the Lord. With its sad consequences
to the world lying in the wicked one, we have nothing to do. They who send
messages into the far country, saying, “We will not have this Man to reign over
us” (St. Luke xix: 14), may well dread the sudden conclusion of this
dispensation of grace. It is only a knowledge that there is now a possible way
to escape from damnation, which keeps godless men from despair. Procrastinators
quiet their consciences with the insincere promise that, at some more
convenient season, they will appropriate the salvation preached by the gospel.
How lamentable will be their condition when the good news of grace is withdrawn
from the world, and the witness of the Holy Ghost is finished! …The Master pleads:
“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.”
The
believer’s expectation of the appearing of the Lord is “full of glory.” It is
the inspiration of every excellence, the incentive to all endeavor, and the
incitement to each deed of daring, which combine to firm his character and
fashion his life… We are bold to assert, on the testimony of the saints, that
the anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ, is a pre-eminent, if not
the sole motive of Christian life. Like Simeon, “devout before God,” in
reference to the Lord’s first manifestation, to be the consolation of Israel,
are they that look for His second coming. With St. Peter, we are constantly
reminded by it, “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation
and godliness.”
It must
be evident that the person of the Lord Jesus Christ attains a prominence in the
thought and experience of those who rejoice in this “blessed hope,” far beyond
that which is possible under any other interpretation of these many texts. This
is the sublime test of doctrine. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to glorify
Jesus. Our privilege is to seek for “the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.” The harmony of the Word and the health of the believer
have the same necessity. The more Christ is exalted, the nearer do we come to
the mind of the Spirit. The intrusion of any secondary thought or thing between
the saint and his Saviour, is not only impertinent, but impious. They that “wait
for the Lord from Heaven” are educated by the truth to a higher sense of
responsibility to the master. All obedience to earthly authority will be rendered
“for the Lord’s sake,” whose personal rule so soon may be substituted for that,
which is “sent by Him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of
them that do well.”-(I Pet. ii: 14.) The exalted Jesus is the true Sovereign of
our lives. Submission is rendered to Him. Every mercy is recognized as His
gift. Appeal from injustice is made to His throne. The homeliest duty has this
high motive: “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto
men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance: for
ye serve the Lord Christ.”…
Rutherford,
in these choice words, expressed the experience of the Christian, “waiting for
the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ:” “I dare not accuse Himself-Christ-but His
absence is a mountain of iron upon my heavy heart. O, when shall we meet? O, my
Beloved, flee like a roe or a young hart, upon the mountains of separation! O,
that He would fold the heavens together, like an old cloak, and shovel time and
days out of the way, and make ready in haste the Lamb’s wife for her Husband!
Since He looked upon me, my heart is not my own, He hath run away to Heaven
with it. How sweet is the wind that bloweth out of the quarter where Christ is!
Every day we may see some new thing in Christ, His love hath neither brim nor
bottom.”
“Let not my eyes with tears be dim,
Let joy their upward
glance illume;
Look up, and watch, and wait for
Him-
Soon, soon the Lord will
come.
“What will it be with Thee to dwell,
Thyself my everlasting
home!
Oh bliss, oh joy ineffable!
Lord Jesus, quickly
come!”
-From “He Will Come.”
***
“For ye know what commandments we gave your by the Lord Jesus.”
