"To wait for His Son from heaven."


BIBLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 1

What a great hope!  Is it not wonderful that each of the chapters of this epistle brims over with glad anticipation of the Master’s quick return!
We should never lose this spirit of eager longing and waiting.  It has the promise of life now, the life which is to come.  It has the power to lift us above the darkness of this age.  It has the great hope of the future with its comforts.  It quickens us to watchfulness and consecration by the thought of the shortening of our opportunities.  It prompts us to purify ourselves as Christ is pure, to “gird our loins” and “trim our lamps.”
Notice how closely the apostle combines the service of God, herein distinguishing Him from the dumb, dead stones of heathen idolatries, with this waiting for his Son from heaven.  It has been alleged that the hope of the Second Advent is a dreamy, mystical sentiment, which disqualifies one for the active fulfillment of the duties of life.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Those who cherish that anticipation, who awake in the morning, saying, "Today may be the day!" or go to bed whispering within themselves that maybe I will be changed into His likeness before the new day dawns are His most faithful servants.  What a blessed hope that we live, move, and breathe in the hands of Christ.

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