Middletown transcript., 1899-08-12
EPWoRTH LEAGUE.
Eopic For the Week Beginning Aug.
IS, "a Service of Promises"
Text, John xiv, LILA.


"I will come again and receive you
unto Myself"
Jesus had eaten the Passover supper
with the apostles and then had told
them Of His intention to leave them for
awhile, and that it would be impossible
for them to follow Him. Three years
they had followed Him, giving mp all
their previous business, and now the
prospect of disbanding came suddenly
upon them. The real facts Of what was
to occur-the crucifxion, resurrection,
ascension, Pentecost were all unknown
to them and from the nature Of the
case could not even be surmised. 1t
seemed as if the failure Of all expecta-
tions was at hand, the collapse OF all
prospects Of success in connection with
this One, whom they had looked upon
as the ''anointed' of God.
1t was impossible for Jesus to make
matters more plain to them. That could
only be done by the development OF
events.
But He could keep their courage alive
by promises which would stimulate
hope, awaken anticipation, and, as they
were fulfilled, would make their faith
stronger. He gives four promises Of
deepest import and widest scope:
/. Though He was to leave them, it
was only that He might 60 ahead and
prepare place for them. This promise
is not to the II alone, but is for Christ 8
followers in all ages. He is absent.
We long to see Him. But in all our
yearning for His presence there is the
consciousness that He is busy. He is
getting the new home ready. We are
to prepare the bride, the church, for the
great home coming. This is still prepa-
ration time for Him and rs. BY and by
the marriage supper. Be diligentl
2. He promises to come and receive
them to Himself. This also means all
Gods saints Many ask, as Peter says
in his epistle, "Where is the promise
of His coming ?" because all the little
world in the rim Of their heroism shows
no change. But believers look for Him,
work for Him, pray for His coming.
and patiently wait Be watchful and
diligentl
8. He had done great works-healed
the sick, opened the eyes of the blind,
cured lepers, raised the dead and taught
truth regarding God, man and the
world as never man understood before.
Moses had done great works, but Jesus
surpassed him in wonders and wisdom.
No man had ever spoken as He had; no
one performed such prodigies. Now He
promises "greater works than these
shall ye do" That means His believers
in all lands and for all time. How is 1t
possiblef 1t is incredible till Pentecost
comes. Then, filed with power, sinful
men, saved by grace, preach the truth,
and sinners become saints. If possible,
it is more wonderful than the work Of
the Sinless One. 1t continues. The
Holy Ghost still inspires and the dis
ciples still proclaim the gospel, and it
still saves all who believe.
4. He throws wide open the doors Of
the Divine treasure house. He counter
signs in advance every petition Of His
brethren, Whatsoever ye shall ask in
Ny name, that will I do" The only
proviso is that it is asked in His name.
We are coming to know the meaning
of that more clearly as the years pass.
SIN His namel" Not for self. not in
pride. anger, malice; humbly, loving
ly, trustingly, all faith, all hope, all
charity, is bound up in it. and He
keeps His fourfold promise. Work and
wait.