JESUS COMING.

 CHRIST ALONE

OCTOBER 4

JESUS COMING.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And 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 14:2-3

The ordinances of Christ are precious, 

  the word of Christ is precious,

  but nothing will suffice as a substitute 

    for Christ himself. 

It is Christ himself, Christ personal, 

  that is the object of our love; and

   the longer we live, 

  the more we find our hearts set on 

  the person of Christ. 

Heaven would be no Heaven to us, 

  if Christ were not there; and 

  the chief thing we desire on earth 

  is the personal presence of Christ.

We do not like to think of death,

  but we love to think of being with Christ. 

The object of our hope is the coming of Jesus. 

He came once in humiliation; 

  he then displayed his love in suffering 

  and dying for us. 

He will come again in his glory; and 

  then he will display his love in 

  conforming us to himself, and 

  delighting us with his presence and 

  love forever. 

He now appears in the presence of God for us, 

and he will soon come and receive us to himself.

He has not left our world forever,

   but only for a time; and 

  we are now waiting for him as 

  God's Son from Heaven, 

  even our Deliverer from the wrath to come. 

CHRIST ALONE, and his presence with us, 

  will satisfy the inward cravings of our 

  immortal souls. 

We are therefore watching and 

  waiting for his appearing, 

  seeing he has said, 

"Surely I come quickly;" and 

  our hearts reply, 

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

That will be a glorious day for creation, 

  for its groaning will end, and 

  its sufferings will cease forever. 

But what will it be for the Church, 

  which is his body, and 

  which will then appear as the 

fullness of him that fills all in all? 

Brethren, let us gird up the loins of our minds, 

  and soberly hope to the end, 

  for the grace that shall be brought unto us 

  at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.1 John 2:28
 
JAMES SMITH 1855