Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

in small capitals. In these clauses the pronoun is expressed in the original; so that, according to a familiar law of the Greek language, it must be emphatic and used in marked contradistinction. The form of expression in 1 Thess. iv. 15, 17, is peculiarly strong : μeîs oi Côvtes oi tepiλeimóμevoi, we who are living, who are surviving.

4. This view makes the Apostle's consolation to the Thessalonians little more than mere mockery. They are sorrowing for their departed friends. He attempts to comfort them, by saying, "We who are living, who are surviving till the coming of the Lord, shall not precede (for this is the old meaning of prevent, derived from the Latin prævenio, to come before), or have any advantage in point of time over those that are asleep." What an extraordinary mode of consolation, to say the least, if the Apostle, and those whom he was addressing, supposed that they might all lie in their graves beside their friends thousands of years before the coming of Christ! But, if they were looking for the speedy appearance, triumph, and reign of their Saviour upon the earth, while some were fearing that their friends who had died too soon would not be present to take part at once, if at all, in the glories and joys of these events, then how natural, appropriate, and forcible does every word of the Apostle become !

The following passage may perhaps be cited in further illustration.

1 Thess. v. 9, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

This change without death, taught by the Apostle, this being new clothed without having been first unclothed, is evidently what is referred to as an object of aspiration in v. 4 of the following sublime passage.

:

2 Cor. v. 1, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven (3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (5) Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."

The question may perhaps arise in some minds, what were the particular expectations of the first Christians in respect to their own death before the coming of Christ, or their change without death at his coming. The following materials for a reply are furnished by the Scrip

tures.

1. There was no doubt that Peter would suffer martyrdom. This had been predicted by his Divine Master, and was anticipated by the Apostle himself.

him the third time, Simon, Peter was grieved because Lovest thou me ? And he

John xxi. 17, "He saith unto son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? he said unto him the third time, said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (18) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither

thou wouldest not. (19) This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God."

2 Pet. i. 13," Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14) Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. (15) Moreover, I will endeavour that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance."

2. There was an expectation that John would survive until the coming of Christ. See p. 34.

3. St. Paul speaks of the Apostles in general as being "delivered unto death," but with the assurance of being raised again, and joined with the other saints, at the coming of Christ.

2 Cor. iv. 11, "For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death worketh in us, but life in you. (13) We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; (14) Knowing, that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you."

An examination of Paul's particular expectations in respect to himself would require more room than should be given here to a point of so little importance to our discussion.

4. In regard to private Christians, the language of the Apostles in numerous passages clearly implies that they were for the most part to remain alive until the Second Advent. Examples in point are elsewhere so abundantly quoted, that it seems needless to insert them here.

II. In passages expressing continuance UNTIL these

events.

1 Tim. vi. 13, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; (14) That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (15) Which in his time he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (16) Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen."

The preceding charge occurs, it will be observed, in a private letter to a single individual.

Phil. i. 3, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, (4) Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (5) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

1 Thess. v. 23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

Rev. ii. 24, "But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden: (25) But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. (26) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (27) (And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers :) even as I received of my Father."

What strange language, if the coming of Christ was not expected till thousands of years, it might be, after those who were addressed had all fallen into the sleep of death! And, upon this supposition, how remarkable the prayer in 1 Thess. v. 23, for the preservation of the body unto this coming! The corruption of the grave is surely a strange species of preservation! The following passage is cited in illustration, rather than proof.

1 Cor. viii. 13, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

III. In passages in which the Apostles speak of their own times as the LAST DAYS, and find in them the predicted signs of these events. Among these signs may be mentioned,

1. The special outpouring of the Spirit predicted by the prophet Joel, whose words were thus cited and applied by the Apostle Peter upon the day of Pente

cost:

Acts ii. 16, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, (17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh : and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (18) And on my servants, and on my hand-maidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (19) And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. (20) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come. (21) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved."

« AnteriorContinuar »