--John 15:13.
[349]The facts show that nineteen hundred years ago, Jesus went away on
a long journey, even into heaven itself; that when he went away he
promised his disciples that he would return and that, when returning,
those who loved his appearing would receive many precious gifts. If the
facts show that this precious friend has returned and we begin to see
that all the fond hopes of Christians are about to be realized and that
even the world is soon to be blessed, what unspeakable joy this brings!
Those who have watched and waited for his coming necessarily break forth
in singing the praises of the Lord. In this chapter we hope to prove
the fact of the Lord's return, how he will return, when, and for what
purpose, and that he has already come.
[350]For centuries Jews have been hoping, looking, and praying for the
coming of a Messiah. For nineteen hundred years Christians have been
hoping, watching, and praying, and waiting for the coming of Christ Jesus
the Lord. Messiah and Christ mean the same. The term means The Anointed
One. The whole world of mankind, groping in darkness, laden with grievous
burdens, has been groaning and still groans in pain, waiting for some
relief, but not knowing how it will come. (Romans 8:19,22) The world in
fact is waiting for the Messiah, the Christ, and his kingdom of
righteousness. When the world comes to a knowledge of the fact that the
Lord, the great deliverer and benefactor of man, has returned, every
honest soul will be filled with joy and every grateful heart will
respond in songs of gladness.
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