The Cross of Christ - Or Sinners Saved By Unmerited Kindness # 2
Now have the purest churches ever doubted the necessity of this change. They also remarkably agree concerning its nature. The Westminister Assembly teaches that "God is pleased in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call His people by His Word and Spirit out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by His almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace." The Latter Confession of Helvetia says, "In regeneration the understanding is illuminated by the Holy Spirit, that it may understand both the mysteries and will of God. And the will itself is not only changed by the Spirit, but is also endued with faculties, that, of its own accord, it may will and do good," and quotes in proof, Romans 8:4; Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:27; John 8:36; Phil. 1:6, 29; and 2:13. The Synod of Dort says, "This regenerating grace of God works not upon men as if they were stocks and stones, nor does it abolish the will and properties of their will, or violently constrain it; but does spiritually revive it, heal it, rectify it, and powerfully yet gently bend it: so that where formerly the rebellion of the flesh, and stubbornness did domineer without control, now a willing and sincere obedience to the Spirit begins to reign; in which change the true and spiritual rescue and freedom of our will does consist. And surely, unless the wonderful Worker of all goodness should deal with us in this sort, there were no hope left for man to arise from his lapse by his free-will, through which, when standing, he threw himself headlong into destruction."
The truth is, that if we give up regeneration, the last hope that a sinner may ever again be either holy or happy is gone forever. The Church of Ireland hold that "All God's elect are in their time inseparably united unto Christ, by the effectual and vital influence of the Holy Spirit, derived from him, as from the head, unto every true member of His mystical body. And being thus made one with Christ they are truly regenerated, and made partakers of Him and all His benefits." Indeed nothing could more distress one, who rightly considered his lost estate, than to have the hope, which springs from the doctrine of regeneration, destroyed or seriously shaken. In other words, God does in regeneration but graciously respond to an urgent demand of every enlightened conscience. Every man who has ever had his eyes opened to see his own wretchedness and vileness, will agree to the saying of Usher: "It is not a little reforming will save the man, no, nor can all the morality of the world, nor all the common graces of God's Spirit, nor the outward change of the life: they will not do, unless we are quickened and have a new life wrought in us."
In his old age, when he could no longer see to read, John Newton heard someone recite this text: "By the grace of God I am what I am." He remained silent a short time and then, as if speaking to himself, he said: "I am not what I ought to be. Ah, how imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be. A abhor that which is evil, and I would cleave to that which is good. I am not what I hope to be. Soon, soon I shall put off mortality, and with mortality all sin and imperfection. Though I am not what I ought to be, what I wish to be, and what I hope to be, yet I can truly say, I am not what I once was, a slave to sin and satan! I can heartily join with the apostle and acknowledge - By the grace of God I am what I am!"
God's people are born three times, once into this world, once into a state of grace, and once into glory. They and the finally impenitent have the first, and none but the first birth in common. It brings the same to all. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." This natural birth is a great wonder. Devout men have always so regarded it. David says, "You are He who took me out of my mother's womb; my praise shall be continually of you." Warm should be the heart and thankful should be the song of her, who is made the joyful mother of a living healthy child. To how many, is the womb the grave. The wonder is that it is not so to more. Every good man is ready to say, "I bless God that ever I was born." "Those born once only, die twice. They die a temporal, and they die an eternal death. But those who are born twice, die only once; for over them the second death has no power."
Our second birth brings us into a state of grace. It is one of the richest of God's covenanted mercies. When one is born anew, a fatal blow is given to satan's kingdom in the heart; for "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
This is the work of amazing power. It was for good cause that the Synod of Dort taught "that God, in regenerating a man, does employ that omnipotent strength, whereby He may powerfully and infallibly bow and bend his will unto faith and conversion." Paul uses all the strong words he is master of, to teach us that we are renewed by power, by amazing energy. He prayed that his Ephesians might know "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead." (Eph. 1:18, 19). We know of no greater power than that which accomplished the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the same power converts the soul!
~William S. Plumer~
(continued with # 3)
Saturday, December 29, 2018
The Cross of Christ - Or Sinners Saved By Unmerited Kindness # 1
The Cross of Christ - Or Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness # 1
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved" (Acts 15:11).
From first to last salvation is all of grace. Paul says: "For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Saviour, He saved us - not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:3-5). So that it is clearly by the grace and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit is sent down to renew our natures, and to accomplish in us the new birth. Pardon saves a sinner from the curse of the law and the lake of fire; acceptance through Christ gives him a title to heaven; but in regeneration the dominion of sin begins to be destroyed, and the soul begins to be fitted for the Master's use.
The new birth is a great mystery, yet it is much insisted on in Scripture. "The washing of regeneration" is as necessary as washing in the blood of Christ. "The renewing of the Holy Spirit" is as essential as the "justification of life." Within the space of four verses our Lord thrice declares how necessary it is to salvation. Hear Him: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again" (John 3:3, 5, 7). The fallow ground must be broken up or the good seed will not take root in our hearts. The wild olive tree must undergo the operation of engrafting with the good olive tree, or it will remain worthless. All the Scriptures teach as much.
Christ taught that a vile sinner must undergo a great spiritual change, before he could be fit for the service of God. Perhaps there is not a more driveling error that that which teaches that baptism with water is the regeneration, which Jesus Christ and His apostles insist upon. When men can confound the "washing of regeneration" with the washing with water, they are fully prepared to follow, in fact they are already following, in the footsteps of those, who confounded "that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh," with that circumcision, which is "of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Perhaps too, no error is more mischievous than this. It is monstrous that such error and folly should be taught in lands where God's Word is in general use. To baptism some add an outward reformation, and insist that this should be admitted as sufficient. Supposing this to be the meaning of Christ and His apostles, it is impossible to defend them from the charge of using very mysterious language to convey so simple an idea. But such belief is never entertained by those, who have a fitting respect for God's Word.
It will therefore claim no more attention at this time. Sound divines have very remarkably agreed in telling us what regeneration is. Witherspoon says: "A new birth implies an universal change. It must be of the whole man, not in some particular, but in all without exception." And he shows at length that it is not PARTIAL, EXTERNAL, IMPERFECT; but that it is UNIVERSAL, INWARD, ESSENTIAL, COMPLETE, AND SUPERNATURAL. Charnock says: "regeneration is a mighty and powerful change, wrought in the soul by the efficacious working of the Holy Spirit, wherein a vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine nature are put into and framed in the heart, enabling it to act holily and pleasingly to God, and to grow up therein to eternal glory." Thomas Scott quotes with approbation another definition, but does not give his author. He says: "Regeneration is a change wrought by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the understanding, will and affections of a sinner; which is the commencement of a new kind of life, and which gives another direction to his judgment, desires, pursuits, and conduct."
Although this change is called by various names, yet the doctrine of Scripture respecting it is uniform. Sometimes it is called a holy calling, a creation, a new creation, a translation, a circumcision of the heart, a resurrection; but whatever be the name, the thing signified is everywhere spoken of in very solemn terms and as a rich fruit of God's grace. Thus says Paul, "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me" (Gal. 1:15, 16). Again: God "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim. 1:9). Again Peter says that "the God of all grace has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Pet. 5:10).
~William S. Plumer~
(continued with # 2)
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved" (Acts 15:11).
From first to last salvation is all of grace. Paul says: "For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Saviour, He saved us - not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:3-5). So that it is clearly by the grace and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit is sent down to renew our natures, and to accomplish in us the new birth. Pardon saves a sinner from the curse of the law and the lake of fire; acceptance through Christ gives him a title to heaven; but in regeneration the dominion of sin begins to be destroyed, and the soul begins to be fitted for the Master's use.
The new birth is a great mystery, yet it is much insisted on in Scripture. "The washing of regeneration" is as necessary as washing in the blood of Christ. "The renewing of the Holy Spirit" is as essential as the "justification of life." Within the space of four verses our Lord thrice declares how necessary it is to salvation. Hear Him: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again" (John 3:3, 5, 7). The fallow ground must be broken up or the good seed will not take root in our hearts. The wild olive tree must undergo the operation of engrafting with the good olive tree, or it will remain worthless. All the Scriptures teach as much.
Christ taught that a vile sinner must undergo a great spiritual change, before he could be fit for the service of God. Perhaps there is not a more driveling error that that which teaches that baptism with water is the regeneration, which Jesus Christ and His apostles insist upon. When men can confound the "washing of regeneration" with the washing with water, they are fully prepared to follow, in fact they are already following, in the footsteps of those, who confounded "that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh," with that circumcision, which is "of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Perhaps too, no error is more mischievous than this. It is monstrous that such error and folly should be taught in lands where God's Word is in general use. To baptism some add an outward reformation, and insist that this should be admitted as sufficient. Supposing this to be the meaning of Christ and His apostles, it is impossible to defend them from the charge of using very mysterious language to convey so simple an idea. But such belief is never entertained by those, who have a fitting respect for God's Word.
It will therefore claim no more attention at this time. Sound divines have very remarkably agreed in telling us what regeneration is. Witherspoon says: "A new birth implies an universal change. It must be of the whole man, not in some particular, but in all without exception." And he shows at length that it is not PARTIAL, EXTERNAL, IMPERFECT; but that it is UNIVERSAL, INWARD, ESSENTIAL, COMPLETE, AND SUPERNATURAL. Charnock says: "regeneration is a mighty and powerful change, wrought in the soul by the efficacious working of the Holy Spirit, wherein a vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine nature are put into and framed in the heart, enabling it to act holily and pleasingly to God, and to grow up therein to eternal glory." Thomas Scott quotes with approbation another definition, but does not give his author. He says: "Regeneration is a change wrought by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the understanding, will and affections of a sinner; which is the commencement of a new kind of life, and which gives another direction to his judgment, desires, pursuits, and conduct."
Although this change is called by various names, yet the doctrine of Scripture respecting it is uniform. Sometimes it is called a holy calling, a creation, a new creation, a translation, a circumcision of the heart, a resurrection; but whatever be the name, the thing signified is everywhere spoken of in very solemn terms and as a rich fruit of God's grace. Thus says Paul, "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me" (Gal. 1:15, 16). Again: God "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim. 1:9). Again Peter says that "the God of all grace has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Pet. 5:10).
~William S. Plumer~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Every Eye # 4 (and others)
Every Eye # 4 (and others)
What will be the sight of that city pictured to us in the Revelation in such glowing words - but whose true glory and beauty no heart of mortal man has ever yet conceived?
Christian rejoice! This sight is for you! This hope is for you! Unworthy in your own eyes; oft lamenting your own infirmities, your lack of love, your failings in the Master's service - yet your eyes shall see and your heart shall overflow with the joys which are at God's right hand.
"Every eye shall see Him!"
Then let your eye now ever be toward Him. Watch, lest your eye be turned aside. Let it never be found "beholding vanity." Let it not be accustomed to delight itself in the unwholesome sights of the theater, or the vain display of self-adornment, or in that which only ministers to the gratification of pride and self-indulgence. Let not your eye shoot forth glances of envy, passion, covetousness, or any unholy thought or desire. Let it not slumber in carnal ease and selfish sloth, while souls are perishing around.
Nay, let your eye be upward, seeking daily aid and grace from above. Be ever looking unto Jesus as your great Pattern and Exemplar, and also as the Fountainhead of all supplies of wisdom, strength, and consolation.
But more than this. Let your eye look around to see the needs and miseries of mankind. Then, with a heart of sympathy and a tongue of love, go forth to cheer and help your brothers and sisters in their distress, and to guide the wanderer back to the fold.
As the good Samaritan looked on the man who had fallen among thieves, and then in self-denying pity stretched out his hand to help, to heal, and to save him - so be it your happy privilege to minister, whenever you can, to the child of sorrow and of need. Let not your "eye affect your heart" - and then spare neither time, nor trouble, nor toil, nor means to raise the fallen, to comfort the mourning, or to save the lost.
Then with double joy shall your eye behold the coming King, and shall receive from His lips a double reward, that inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of His brethren, you have done it unto Him.
You shall rise! my dust, you shall arise,
Not always closed your eyes;
Your life's first Giver
Will give you life forever.
Ah, praise His name!
Then as they who dream, we shall arise,
With Jesus to the skies,
And find that morrow,
The weary pilgrim's sorrow,
All past and gone!
Then within the holiest I tread,
By my Redeemer led,
Through Heaven soaring,
His holy name adoring,
Eternally!
~George Everard~
(The End)
__________________________
The Martyr's Crown
The saints of old were beaten, tried,
Condemned and even crucified.
These martyr men beat no retreat
When flames were licking at their feet.
They saw the tyrants' brandished steel,
But still they offered no appeal.
They struck no bargain for their lives,
For their children or their wives;
All slowly roasted in the flames
While angels wrote each of their names
Within a book God calls His own,
To be proclaimed before His throne.
Then we shall know of their renown
When each receives his martyr's crown,
When God shall say to them, "Well done -
You ran the race, pressed on, and won
When in that race men said "insane!"
But now I gladly own your name.
Now you are home - "come dwell with Me
In joy through all eternity."
~Leonard Ravenhill~
What will be the sight of that city pictured to us in the Revelation in such glowing words - but whose true glory and beauty no heart of mortal man has ever yet conceived?
Christian rejoice! This sight is for you! This hope is for you! Unworthy in your own eyes; oft lamenting your own infirmities, your lack of love, your failings in the Master's service - yet your eyes shall see and your heart shall overflow with the joys which are at God's right hand.
"Every eye shall see Him!"
Then let your eye now ever be toward Him. Watch, lest your eye be turned aside. Let it never be found "beholding vanity." Let it not be accustomed to delight itself in the unwholesome sights of the theater, or the vain display of self-adornment, or in that which only ministers to the gratification of pride and self-indulgence. Let not your eye shoot forth glances of envy, passion, covetousness, or any unholy thought or desire. Let it not slumber in carnal ease and selfish sloth, while souls are perishing around.
Nay, let your eye be upward, seeking daily aid and grace from above. Be ever looking unto Jesus as your great Pattern and Exemplar, and also as the Fountainhead of all supplies of wisdom, strength, and consolation.
But more than this. Let your eye look around to see the needs and miseries of mankind. Then, with a heart of sympathy and a tongue of love, go forth to cheer and help your brothers and sisters in their distress, and to guide the wanderer back to the fold.
As the good Samaritan looked on the man who had fallen among thieves, and then in self-denying pity stretched out his hand to help, to heal, and to save him - so be it your happy privilege to minister, whenever you can, to the child of sorrow and of need. Let not your "eye affect your heart" - and then spare neither time, nor trouble, nor toil, nor means to raise the fallen, to comfort the mourning, or to save the lost.
Then with double joy shall your eye behold the coming King, and shall receive from His lips a double reward, that inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of His brethren, you have done it unto Him.
You shall rise! my dust, you shall arise,
Not always closed your eyes;
Your life's first Giver
Will give you life forever.
Ah, praise His name!
Then as they who dream, we shall arise,
With Jesus to the skies,
And find that morrow,
The weary pilgrim's sorrow,
All past and gone!
Then within the holiest I tread,
By my Redeemer led,
Through Heaven soaring,
His holy name adoring,
Eternally!
~George Everard~
(The End)
__________________________
The Martyr's Crown
The saints of old were beaten, tried,
Condemned and even crucified.
These martyr men beat no retreat
When flames were licking at their feet.
They saw the tyrants' brandished steel,
But still they offered no appeal.
They struck no bargain for their lives,
For their children or their wives;
All slowly roasted in the flames
While angels wrote each of their names
Within a book God calls His own,
To be proclaimed before His throne.
Then we shall know of their renown
When each receives his martyr's crown,
When God shall say to them, "Well done -
You ran the race, pressed on, and won
When in that race men said "insane!"
But now I gladly own your name.
Now you are home - "come dwell with Me
In joy through all eternity."
~Leonard Ravenhill~
Every Eye # 3
Every Eye # 3
Or look at it in another way. Here is a man who has long set his heart on the accomplishment of some great and noble object. It has been his one aim and prayer for many a year. Perhaps it has been the building of a church in some poor or neglected neighborhood. Perhaps it has been the founding of an asylum for orphan children. And now the desire of a lifetime has been fulfilled. What untold pleasure and thankfulness it awakens within him as he sees the reward of his toil and the answer to so many prayers!
And in the believer's sight of the coming King, something similar to every one of these elements of grateful joy will be found, and will burst forth in fullest measure. It will be gladness in its highest form, and with no single cause of alloy.
I remember well an old servant of Christ who faithfully followed the Master upwards of sixty years. A few years before his death his sight suddenly failed him. He sought advice, but he was told that it was impossible to provide a cure. He would never see again while he lived. A bright and happy thought awoke within the heart of the good man. "Then the next person I shall see will be my Saviour!" said this faithful servant of his Lord.
And what that sight will be to a Christian man, who can express?
In that sight, all heart-joys meet. Raise your thoughts to the very highest conceptions of sanctified hope and expectation - and that moment will surpass them all.
Here the desire of the soul will be fully satisfied. We read that "hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." Through long centuries has the Church waited for the return of her Lord.
Year after year has the earnest and wakeful believer been looking for "that blessed hope," even the glorious appearing of the Son of God. And now the day has come. No more waiting, weary days. No more triumphing of the wicked. No more hiding the pure truth of God beneath the covering of human traditions. No more sorrow or sin to trouble the Christian's heart. The blessed day has come with all its rich treasury of deliverance, peace, felicity and victory.
Here mutual love will be abundantly satisfied. The Bridegroom will rejoice in the Bride - and the Bride will be satisfied forever in the presence of her Lord. It is said by Solomon, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing," and we find it true in our present state. But it will not be true then. "Your eyes shall see the King in His beauty!" - and this sight will be enough. It will be the one great joy of the redeemed forever. To see Christ, to be with Him, to look deeper into His loving heart, and to share that love through endless ages - this will be the chief element in the pleasures which are at God's right hand.
"The King there in His beauty
Without a veil is seen;
It were a well-spent journey
Though seven deaths lay between.
The Lamb with His fair army
Does on Mount Zion stand,
And glory, glory dwells
In Emmanuel's land.
The Bride eyes hot her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of Grace.
Not at the crown He gives,
But on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Emmanuel's land."
Here will be the transforming power of this sight. Consider the words of John in his First Epistle, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!" There will be perfect conformity to His image. Sin will be annihilated in the soul, and no temptations ever be able to stir one thought of evil. This mortal body will put on its garments of glory and immortality. In heavenly purity, in unwearied brightness and activity, in an atmosphere of love, born of the love that inflames the heart of Christ - the risen saint will be satisfied as he awakes in the likeness of His Saviour. And with the sight of Christ Himself, there will be ten thousand sights that will multiply indefinitely the Christian's joy. What will it be to behold angel and archangel, cherubim and seraphim, and all doing homage to Him whom we love?
What will it be to see the saints of olden times, prophets, apostles, martyrs - those whose words have been a guide to us along our journey here? What will it be to see those who have been dear to us in the flesh, and who fell asleep in Christ before ourselves? What will it be to see those to whom God has made us instruments of spiritual good - who through our prayers, efforts, or influence have been led to the Saviour's feet?
~George Everard~
(continued with # 4)
Or look at it in another way. Here is a man who has long set his heart on the accomplishment of some great and noble object. It has been his one aim and prayer for many a year. Perhaps it has been the building of a church in some poor or neglected neighborhood. Perhaps it has been the founding of an asylum for orphan children. And now the desire of a lifetime has been fulfilled. What untold pleasure and thankfulness it awakens within him as he sees the reward of his toil and the answer to so many prayers!
And in the believer's sight of the coming King, something similar to every one of these elements of grateful joy will be found, and will burst forth in fullest measure. It will be gladness in its highest form, and with no single cause of alloy.
I remember well an old servant of Christ who faithfully followed the Master upwards of sixty years. A few years before his death his sight suddenly failed him. He sought advice, but he was told that it was impossible to provide a cure. He would never see again while he lived. A bright and happy thought awoke within the heart of the good man. "Then the next person I shall see will be my Saviour!" said this faithful servant of his Lord.
And what that sight will be to a Christian man, who can express?
In that sight, all heart-joys meet. Raise your thoughts to the very highest conceptions of sanctified hope and expectation - and that moment will surpass them all.
Here the desire of the soul will be fully satisfied. We read that "hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." Through long centuries has the Church waited for the return of her Lord.
Year after year has the earnest and wakeful believer been looking for "that blessed hope," even the glorious appearing of the Son of God. And now the day has come. No more waiting, weary days. No more triumphing of the wicked. No more hiding the pure truth of God beneath the covering of human traditions. No more sorrow or sin to trouble the Christian's heart. The blessed day has come with all its rich treasury of deliverance, peace, felicity and victory.
Here mutual love will be abundantly satisfied. The Bridegroom will rejoice in the Bride - and the Bride will be satisfied forever in the presence of her Lord. It is said by Solomon, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing," and we find it true in our present state. But it will not be true then. "Your eyes shall see the King in His beauty!" - and this sight will be enough. It will be the one great joy of the redeemed forever. To see Christ, to be with Him, to look deeper into His loving heart, and to share that love through endless ages - this will be the chief element in the pleasures which are at God's right hand.
"The King there in His beauty
Without a veil is seen;
It were a well-spent journey
Though seven deaths lay between.
The Lamb with His fair army
Does on Mount Zion stand,
And glory, glory dwells
In Emmanuel's land.
The Bride eyes hot her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of Grace.
Not at the crown He gives,
But on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Emmanuel's land."
Here will be the transforming power of this sight. Consider the words of John in his First Epistle, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!" There will be perfect conformity to His image. Sin will be annihilated in the soul, and no temptations ever be able to stir one thought of evil. This mortal body will put on its garments of glory and immortality. In heavenly purity, in unwearied brightness and activity, in an atmosphere of love, born of the love that inflames the heart of Christ - the risen saint will be satisfied as he awakes in the likeness of His Saviour. And with the sight of Christ Himself, there will be ten thousand sights that will multiply indefinitely the Christian's joy. What will it be to behold angel and archangel, cherubim and seraphim, and all doing homage to Him whom we love?
What will it be to see the saints of olden times, prophets, apostles, martyrs - those whose words have been a guide to us along our journey here? What will it be to see those who have been dear to us in the flesh, and who fell asleep in Christ before ourselves? What will it be to see those to whom God has made us instruments of spiritual good - who through our prayers, efforts, or influence have been led to the Saviour's feet?
~George Everard~
(continued with # 4)
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Every Eye # 2
Every Eye # 2
1. Is not the eye frequently the inlet of the greatest possible display, alarm, terror, and distress? Imagine the men of the old world as they saw the door of the Ark close, and then by and by saw the huge raindrops descend, and watched the rising waters until every ray of hope was quenched.
Imagine the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah as they saw the words of Lot fulfilled, and the fire descend from above on the doomed cities.
Imagine the company of Korah as the ground began to heave beneath their feet and the vast chasm open its mouth to receive them.
Imagine the conscience-stricken Ahab as he saw the prophet Elijah standing in the field of Naboth - the very sight of the faithful servant of Jehovah awakening him to all the judgments which his sin was bringing upon him.
Imagine a man coming home from Australia with the earnings of a life's labor, and seeing the vessel with it all sinking in the depths.
Or imagine the parent watching by the deathbed of the child in whom all his hopes were centered, who had been the idol of his home and the one object for whom he lived.
Now think what will the sight of Christ be to the unsaved man. In that sight will be every possible element of grief and distress.
Every idol of his heart will be dashed to pieces in a moment. Whether it be home or wife, or child, a high position or a store of wealth, the fruit of a life's work or the usual enjoyment of some gift of Divine Providence - whatever it may be, it becomes a thing of the past. The stream is dried up; time is no more, and time's possessions have passed out of his hand.
From that sight will arise the shame of discovery. However cleverly the plot has been laid or the deed of evil hidden from the eyes of men, there will be no more possibility of concealment. The eyes which are as a flame of fire see through every disguise. The impenitent sinner must stand naked and confounded, with his sin open and known to all.
Then, too, conscience will speak out, and can no longer be silenced. As the sight of Elijah brought the sin of Ahab to his remembrance, what will it be when men see Him against whom they have sinned, and who knows them altogether? Ah! the reproach, the remorse, the sting of conscience on that day! Too often conscience slumbers now - it is drugged by the devil's opiates. It sleeps on, silenced by false hopes, by low views of sin, by promises of future amendment, or by the idea of mercy in God, even where that mercy has been despised and rejected!
But then it will sleep no more. The sight of a coming Judge will effectually and forever dispel all its delusions. In no uncertain tone will the voice be heard: "You are the man! What have you done?" Moreover, that sight will be to the sinner, the token of the coming day of wrath.
We have a glimpse given of the scene that we may look for. "The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?~ (Revelation 6:14-17).
Yes, every eye shall see Him! For through rock and mountain and cave, that eye shall still behold him. No hiding-place will be deep enough or dark enough to cover him from sight.
Think of it, friend, you who are yet in your sins. Think of it, friend, who are yet back from Him by the shadows of earth. Would it not be well to seek a hiding place now? Would it not be well, even this very day, to flee from the anticipation of His wrath - to the arms of His mercy? Would it not be well now to fix your eye on Him, in deep self-abasement and humble trust? Hidden in Him, covered with His all-sufficient merit, and arrayed in His snow while robe of righteousness - what then shall you fear? What then will the presence of His glory be to you, but the most blissful sight that every you have seen!
2. The brighter side of this subject, must not be forgotten.
If the eye is the inlet of fear and dismay - it is no less the inlet of joy, too deep for words to express.
Imagine the joy of Abraham and Sarah in the sight of the child so long promised and so long waited for!
Remember the old patriarch Jacob and the gladness he must have experienced when again he saw his long-lost son, and saw him as ruler of the land of Egypt?
Think of the delight of the shepherds as they beheld the infant Jesus, in whom they had learned to recognize the Saviour of the world; or of the Eastern Magi, as with exceeding great joy they again beheld the ship which brings her husband home to her after a long voyage.
~George Everard~
(continued with # 3)
1. Is not the eye frequently the inlet of the greatest possible display, alarm, terror, and distress? Imagine the men of the old world as they saw the door of the Ark close, and then by and by saw the huge raindrops descend, and watched the rising waters until every ray of hope was quenched.
Imagine the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah as they saw the words of Lot fulfilled, and the fire descend from above on the doomed cities.
Imagine the company of Korah as the ground began to heave beneath their feet and the vast chasm open its mouth to receive them.
Imagine the conscience-stricken Ahab as he saw the prophet Elijah standing in the field of Naboth - the very sight of the faithful servant of Jehovah awakening him to all the judgments which his sin was bringing upon him.
Imagine a man coming home from Australia with the earnings of a life's labor, and seeing the vessel with it all sinking in the depths.
Or imagine the parent watching by the deathbed of the child in whom all his hopes were centered, who had been the idol of his home and the one object for whom he lived.
Now think what will the sight of Christ be to the unsaved man. In that sight will be every possible element of grief and distress.
Every idol of his heart will be dashed to pieces in a moment. Whether it be home or wife, or child, a high position or a store of wealth, the fruit of a life's work or the usual enjoyment of some gift of Divine Providence - whatever it may be, it becomes a thing of the past. The stream is dried up; time is no more, and time's possessions have passed out of his hand.
From that sight will arise the shame of discovery. However cleverly the plot has been laid or the deed of evil hidden from the eyes of men, there will be no more possibility of concealment. The eyes which are as a flame of fire see through every disguise. The impenitent sinner must stand naked and confounded, with his sin open and known to all.
Then, too, conscience will speak out, and can no longer be silenced. As the sight of Elijah brought the sin of Ahab to his remembrance, what will it be when men see Him against whom they have sinned, and who knows them altogether? Ah! the reproach, the remorse, the sting of conscience on that day! Too often conscience slumbers now - it is drugged by the devil's opiates. It sleeps on, silenced by false hopes, by low views of sin, by promises of future amendment, or by the idea of mercy in God, even where that mercy has been despised and rejected!
But then it will sleep no more. The sight of a coming Judge will effectually and forever dispel all its delusions. In no uncertain tone will the voice be heard: "You are the man! What have you done?" Moreover, that sight will be to the sinner, the token of the coming day of wrath.
We have a glimpse given of the scene that we may look for. "The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?~ (Revelation 6:14-17).
Yes, every eye shall see Him! For through rock and mountain and cave, that eye shall still behold him. No hiding-place will be deep enough or dark enough to cover him from sight.
Think of it, friend, you who are yet in your sins. Think of it, friend, who are yet back from Him by the shadows of earth. Would it not be well to seek a hiding place now? Would it not be well, even this very day, to flee from the anticipation of His wrath - to the arms of His mercy? Would it not be well now to fix your eye on Him, in deep self-abasement and humble trust? Hidden in Him, covered with His all-sufficient merit, and arrayed in His snow while robe of righteousness - what then shall you fear? What then will the presence of His glory be to you, but the most blissful sight that every you have seen!
2. The brighter side of this subject, must not be forgotten.
If the eye is the inlet of fear and dismay - it is no less the inlet of joy, too deep for words to express.
Imagine the joy of Abraham and Sarah in the sight of the child so long promised and so long waited for!
Remember the old patriarch Jacob and the gladness he must have experienced when again he saw his long-lost son, and saw him as ruler of the land of Egypt?
Think of the delight of the shepherds as they beheld the infant Jesus, in whom they had learned to recognize the Saviour of the world; or of the Eastern Magi, as with exceeding great joy they again beheld the ship which brings her husband home to her after a long voyage.
~George Everard~
(continued with # 3)
Every Eye! # 1
Every Eye! # 1
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him!" (Revelation 1:7).
There is many a "behold" in Holy Scripture, but in this passage, we reach the climax of them all.
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him" (Psalm 33:18).
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1).
"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
"Behold the Man" (John 19:5).
"Behold your King" (John 19:14).
Every one of these views of God's love and of the Saviour's grace, are full of deepest meaning and instruction to us.
But in grandeur and solemn awe, none can for a moment reach the "behold" of the Revelation. It sounds the keynote of the whole Apocalypse. It gathers within itself the great prophecy of Daniel spoken centuries before, and the bold utterance of Christ as He stood before the Jewish Council. Look at the words of the prophet Daniel 7:13, "I saw in the night visions, and behold One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of Heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him, and there was given Him dominion and glory and a kingdom," etc.
Consider the words of Christ when standing before His bloodthirsty judges (Matthew 26:64), "Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of Heaven!"
Then take the words of John as given in Revelation, "Behold, He comes with clouds, and every eye shall see Him!"
In each of these passages two points are very prominent.
It is everywhere distinctly affirmed that He comes in the clouds of Heaven. When He ascended to the Father, we are told that a cloud received Him, and hid Him from the sight of His disciples. And as He ascended, so the angels declared that He must come again. So shall it be. In a cloud He departs - and in a cloud He shall return to the earth. And is there not here a plain evidence of His Divine power and authority? Is it not this one of the symbols of Jehovah's majesty and glory? We read in Psalm 18 something of the greatness which appertains to God, and here is one part of that description: "He made darkness His secret place. His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies". Look again at Psalm 104:3, "Who makes the clouds His chariot - who walks upon the wings of the wind."
To none but Jehovah's fellow, to none but the coequal Son of the Most High, would it have been granted thus to come back to our earth, mighty and glorious, seated on the very chariot of Jehovah Himself!
No less impressive is the second point. The Lord Jesus is to be the one object on which every eye is to be fixed. "Every eye shall see Him!"
These words have never been true of any who yet has lived. Kings and conquerors have had their days of triumph, and perchance hundreds of thousands have looked upon them as they celebrated the victories they had achieved. We read of notable scene in olden times, when a monarch gathered together an army of some three million, and placed his throne where he could gain a sight of them all, and where a large proportion of them might be able to see him.
But far higher, grander, vaster, is the prospect set before us of Christ at His appearing. In that concourse, none are absent. All ages, countries, races, and divisions of mankind are present there. None can escape that vision. None are lost or hidden amidst the assembled myriads. How it can be, no thought can possibly fathom. That it shall be, no room is left for doubt.
He who once trod the shore of Galilee's lake.
He who once was the Friend of the fishermen,
He who was meek and lowly of heart,
He who endured so patiently the scorn and the shame of His bitter Cross - it is He who shall then be manifested as the Glorious King and Judge of human kind, and upon whom every eye of sinner and of saint shall then be turned!
By that look, there will arise an extremity of woe and of gladness, the possibility of which has never yet been realized. There are the two sides. It may be well to consider both.
~George Everard~
(continued with # 2)
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him!" (Revelation 1:7).
There is many a "behold" in Holy Scripture, but in this passage, we reach the climax of them all.
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him" (Psalm 33:18).
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1).
"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
"Behold the Man" (John 19:5).
"Behold your King" (John 19:14).
Every one of these views of God's love and of the Saviour's grace, are full of deepest meaning and instruction to us.
But in grandeur and solemn awe, none can for a moment reach the "behold" of the Revelation. It sounds the keynote of the whole Apocalypse. It gathers within itself the great prophecy of Daniel spoken centuries before, and the bold utterance of Christ as He stood before the Jewish Council. Look at the words of the prophet Daniel 7:13, "I saw in the night visions, and behold One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of Heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him, and there was given Him dominion and glory and a kingdom," etc.
Consider the words of Christ when standing before His bloodthirsty judges (Matthew 26:64), "Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of Heaven!"
Then take the words of John as given in Revelation, "Behold, He comes with clouds, and every eye shall see Him!"
In each of these passages two points are very prominent.
It is everywhere distinctly affirmed that He comes in the clouds of Heaven. When He ascended to the Father, we are told that a cloud received Him, and hid Him from the sight of His disciples. And as He ascended, so the angels declared that He must come again. So shall it be. In a cloud He departs - and in a cloud He shall return to the earth. And is there not here a plain evidence of His Divine power and authority? Is it not this one of the symbols of Jehovah's majesty and glory? We read in Psalm 18 something of the greatness which appertains to God, and here is one part of that description: "He made darkness His secret place. His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies". Look again at Psalm 104:3, "Who makes the clouds His chariot - who walks upon the wings of the wind."
To none but Jehovah's fellow, to none but the coequal Son of the Most High, would it have been granted thus to come back to our earth, mighty and glorious, seated on the very chariot of Jehovah Himself!
No less impressive is the second point. The Lord Jesus is to be the one object on which every eye is to be fixed. "Every eye shall see Him!"
These words have never been true of any who yet has lived. Kings and conquerors have had their days of triumph, and perchance hundreds of thousands have looked upon them as they celebrated the victories they had achieved. We read of notable scene in olden times, when a monarch gathered together an army of some three million, and placed his throne where he could gain a sight of them all, and where a large proportion of them might be able to see him.
But far higher, grander, vaster, is the prospect set before us of Christ at His appearing. In that concourse, none are absent. All ages, countries, races, and divisions of mankind are present there. None can escape that vision. None are lost or hidden amidst the assembled myriads. How it can be, no thought can possibly fathom. That it shall be, no room is left for doubt.
He who once trod the shore of Galilee's lake.
He who once was the Friend of the fishermen,
He who was meek and lowly of heart,
He who endured so patiently the scorn and the shame of His bitter Cross - it is He who shall then be manifested as the Glorious King and Judge of human kind, and upon whom every eye of sinner and of saint shall then be turned!
By that look, there will arise an extremity of woe and of gladness, the possibility of which has never yet been realized. There are the two sides. It may be well to consider both.
~George Everard~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, December 8, 2018
More Than Conquerors # 5
More Than Conquerors # 5
You see, we've got the idea that you've got to be anointed of the Holy Spirit to be a missionary or a preacher. Well, that's great! You must have that. Let me tell you about three things here. Look. This man says we are more than conquerors. You know, when those three Hebrew children went into the burning, fiery furnace, they were conquerors. But when the form of the fourth, like unto the Son of God, came and they walked out, they were MORE THAN CONQUERORS.
When Daniel went into the lion's den, he was a conqueror. But when they pulled him out and made them change the laws of the Medes and the Persians, he was more than a conqueror.
When Jesus went to the Cross, He could have just went quick, and destroyed every man that was living. He could have cursed these people like He cursed the fig tree. But He kept His mouth shut. When He went to the grave with the sin of the world He was a conqueror. When He rose from the dead He was more than a conqueror. That's why this marvelous 8th chapter is so majestic. The Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead. Has He raised you from the dead? And touched death? And trespasses? And sin? Has He raised you from the death of formality and self-righteousness? If He has, you're indwelt by God the Father! You're indwelt by God the Son! You're indwelt by the Holy Spirit!
You know what America needs more than it needs some revivalist? It needs some Holy Spirit filled mothers and fathers. I owe my spiritual life after God to the saintly mother who influenced my life. I never heard my mother gossip. I never heard her criticize anybody. I never saw her get angry. All I got when I came home from school was mother in one chair and grandmother in the other singing, "Take Time to Be Holy," usually off-key. But they were singing "Take Time to Be Holy." If it wasn't that, it was "Trust and Obey." Man, I was born in a home where the father was godly and the mother was a saint.
People say to me sometimes, "You know, I often ask the Lord to make me humble." I'll tell you how to make yourself humble. Go home and sit down before your little kids. Just sit down and say, "Do you think that I am like Jesus?"
I'm a debtor to America. Do you know why? Because outside of the New Testament, the greatest thing I ever read was the life of David Brainerd. I read that when he was about 18 years of age, he met God. I read that he died at the age of 28. The ripe old age of 28! I read that he used to kneel in the snow when it was up to his chin, when he had to make a hole in it. And pray! He said, "I'd pray from sunrise to sunset. I couldn't touch the snow with the tips of my fingers. The heat of my body melted the snow." He had tuberculosis and when he sneezed he sprayed the snow with his blood.
Friend, listen. You have only one life. Twill soon be passed. Only what's done for God will last. When you are dying how glad you shall be, if the lamp of your life has been burned out for Him. So now, die to self-seeking. Die to public opinion. Die to ambition. God doesn't use men that are alive. He uses men that are dead. He doesn't use sober men. He uses drunk men. He doesn't use somebody. He uses nobody.
"In all these things..." Where's your point of defeat tonight? Is it prayerlessness? Is it lack of love? Is it self-pity? Self-seeking? Self-glory? Self-promoting? What is it? You may be the one key holding up revival. Maybe just you, nobody else. I don't know. I want to tell you, God can put an end to all these things and you can leave this house tonight free, if you obey God. You can be more than conquerors by the indwelling God, by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. But you'll have to confess it. I can't confess for you. I can't do it. You have to do it. God can't do it for you. You have to do it.
Your repentance, your humility, your sincere seeking God for that cancer within the breast, whatever it is, will bring the compassion and love of God, the cleansing in the Blood, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
~Leonard Ravenhill~
(The End)
Copyright/Reproduction Limitations: this file is the sole property of Leonard Ravenhill. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety as "freeware" without charge - and cannot be sold with charge. (c) 1995 by Leonard Ravenhill, Lindale, Texas.
You see, we've got the idea that you've got to be anointed of the Holy Spirit to be a missionary or a preacher. Well, that's great! You must have that. Let me tell you about three things here. Look. This man says we are more than conquerors. You know, when those three Hebrew children went into the burning, fiery furnace, they were conquerors. But when the form of the fourth, like unto the Son of God, came and they walked out, they were MORE THAN CONQUERORS.
When Daniel went into the lion's den, he was a conqueror. But when they pulled him out and made them change the laws of the Medes and the Persians, he was more than a conqueror.
When Jesus went to the Cross, He could have just went quick, and destroyed every man that was living. He could have cursed these people like He cursed the fig tree. But He kept His mouth shut. When He went to the grave with the sin of the world He was a conqueror. When He rose from the dead He was more than a conqueror. That's why this marvelous 8th chapter is so majestic. The Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead. Has He raised you from the dead? And touched death? And trespasses? And sin? Has He raised you from the death of formality and self-righteousness? If He has, you're indwelt by God the Father! You're indwelt by God the Son! You're indwelt by the Holy Spirit!
You know what America needs more than it needs some revivalist? It needs some Holy Spirit filled mothers and fathers. I owe my spiritual life after God to the saintly mother who influenced my life. I never heard my mother gossip. I never heard her criticize anybody. I never saw her get angry. All I got when I came home from school was mother in one chair and grandmother in the other singing, "Take Time to Be Holy," usually off-key. But they were singing "Take Time to Be Holy." If it wasn't that, it was "Trust and Obey." Man, I was born in a home where the father was godly and the mother was a saint.
People say to me sometimes, "You know, I often ask the Lord to make me humble." I'll tell you how to make yourself humble. Go home and sit down before your little kids. Just sit down and say, "Do you think that I am like Jesus?"
I'm a debtor to America. Do you know why? Because outside of the New Testament, the greatest thing I ever read was the life of David Brainerd. I read that when he was about 18 years of age, he met God. I read that he died at the age of 28. The ripe old age of 28! I read that he used to kneel in the snow when it was up to his chin, when he had to make a hole in it. And pray! He said, "I'd pray from sunrise to sunset. I couldn't touch the snow with the tips of my fingers. The heat of my body melted the snow." He had tuberculosis and when he sneezed he sprayed the snow with his blood.
Friend, listen. You have only one life. Twill soon be passed. Only what's done for God will last. When you are dying how glad you shall be, if the lamp of your life has been burned out for Him. So now, die to self-seeking. Die to public opinion. Die to ambition. God doesn't use men that are alive. He uses men that are dead. He doesn't use sober men. He uses drunk men. He doesn't use somebody. He uses nobody.
"In all these things..." Where's your point of defeat tonight? Is it prayerlessness? Is it lack of love? Is it self-pity? Self-seeking? Self-glory? Self-promoting? What is it? You may be the one key holding up revival. Maybe just you, nobody else. I don't know. I want to tell you, God can put an end to all these things and you can leave this house tonight free, if you obey God. You can be more than conquerors by the indwelling God, by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. But you'll have to confess it. I can't confess for you. I can't do it. You have to do it. God can't do it for you. You have to do it.
Your repentance, your humility, your sincere seeking God for that cancer within the breast, whatever it is, will bring the compassion and love of God, the cleansing in the Blood, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
~Leonard Ravenhill~
(The End)
Copyright/Reproduction Limitations: this file is the sole property of Leonard Ravenhill. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety as "freeware" without charge - and cannot be sold with charge. (c) 1995 by Leonard Ravenhill, Lindale, Texas.
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