We have rapidly pointed out the leading features of the beginning,
progress and end of this age. The real end is composed of seven years,
the last prophetic week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. ix). The true
church will then no longer be on the earth. Her translation has taken
place. The Saints are with the Lord. But on earth the things will
come to pass which are so prominently revealed in the prophetic Word.
And when the seven years are over the Lord Jesus Christ will come back
in power and glory to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Then that which has been shall be again and still greater glory added.
"THAT BLESSED HOPE"
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the glory
of our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," Tit. ii:13.
"That blessed hope" of which the Apostle writes is an exclusively New
Testament revelation. The appearing of the glory of our great God and
our Savior Jesus Christ is fully revealed in the Old Testament
prophetic Word. The Prophets had visions of the day of the Lord, a day
in which the Lord will be manifested in power and glory; a day which
will bring glory and peace when the Lord is enthroned as King of kings
and Lord of lords. The Spirit of God has shown through the prophets
what the appearing, the visible manifestation of the Lord will mean,
for the people Israel, for the nations and for groaning creation. But
nowhere do we find "that blessed hope" made known by the prophets. The
Jewish Saints knew nothing of it as it is revealed to the church of
God. True they had now and then a glimpse of the future. One of the
greatest sufferers was Job. His darkest night was illuminated by the
assurance of hope when he uttered his great testimony: "I know that my
Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the
earth. And if after my skin this body shall be destroyed, yet in my
flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes
shall behold, and not another" (Job xix:25-27). But this is not "that
blessed hope" the Lord has given to us His people.
Old Testament Saints knew of the resurrection of the dead. They knew
nothing of a resurrection from among the dead. Yet Enoch and Elijah
were taken to glory without dying. No prophet knew the typical meaning
of their experience as we know it through "that blessed hope."
For the First Time
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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