Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-30

illustrated what He means by some
thing with which they are thoroughly
familiar. The point of the parable Is
then, that whatever preparation they
must make must be made prior to the
bridegroom's sudden coming; 1t will be
too late to do so then. The prepared ones
only may enter in; the unprepared may
not
There is another point that must be
emphasized over which some misunder-
standing may have occurred. The prep
aration to be made Is not for our death,
but for Jesus return; not for our dy-
ing, but His coming. Recall again
the disciples question to which this was
the answer. These things have been
confused in the minds of some and
many OF the blessings of expectation of
His return have been lost to these be-
levers. A careful reading of these
chapters will satisfy anyone that Jesus
is not speaking of our dying at all, but
of series of events that shall precede
and usher in the contamination of the
age. So that when He closes the first
part of that prophecy with the com
mand: Watch therefore; for we know
not on what day your Lord cometh,' we
are sure He means His return and not
our death, which may precede it or may
never occur at all.
What does II mean to be ready for
Jesus coming7 What preparation is
necessary for us to make now while
He tarries so that II He come at mid
night, or at the cock Growing, or in the
morning, we shall be ready to go out and
meet Him and go in to the marriage Of
the Lamb? These are important ques-
lions for us to ask and answer, for we
shall not have time then. Some will not
be ready; two farmers shall be working
in the field and one will suddenly disap-
pear; two women will be washing
clothes; one will be caught up, and the
other left. Men will be carrying on
their ordinary duties. eating and drink
ing. and giving in marriage, when sud
denly Jesus shall come.
In Revelation we are told that the
bride made herself ready by putting on
white linen, and the white linen is the
righteousness of the saints" The robe
of Chrlsts righteousness is the one to
put on. John speaks of 1t and concludes.
"aud now, little children, abide In Him
that when He shall appear we shall not
be ashamed (or confused) at His ap-
pearing." The writer to the Hebrews
said that unto them that look for Him
shall He appear the second time with
out sin unto salvation" Paul wrote
that the Philippians had turned from
idols to serve the living and true God,
and to wait for His Son from heaven
And he wrote Titus about 1.-The grace
of God that bringeth salvation e.
teaching us that denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts,s we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in this present
age, looking for that blessed hope and
the GLORIOUS appearing of the great God
and oUr Savior Jesus Christ" These
constitute the preparation we are to
make. We have the opportunities now.
We know intellectually, at least, If not
experlrlentaly, that God has graciously
provided for us a Savior who will not
only save us from the guilt of sin, but
redeem us from its power also; then
take Him as your personal Savior We
know intellectually that He has been ex-
allied to the right hand of the throne of
God, that God has made this same Jesus
both Lord and Christ Then honor and
obey Him as your sovereign Lord; let
Him be really the king of your life. We
know that He has given us work to do
while He is away-to conduct a world
wide campaign Of testimony, telling
others what we know of Him, no less,
no more Then do your work as a wit
ness to the uttermost part of the earth.
This is readiness for His coming this
is being like the wise virgins and MAX
ing preparation while you have the
chance.
His coming will be the contamination
of your work. as well as His commenda-
ton of 1t, II you are thus ready. If
you are not, 1t will be the darkest Of
dark days in your life Are you ready?
VIII you be glad to hear the summons,
Behold the Bridegroom; come We to
meet Him. He said to John, Behold
come quickly" and John joyously replied,
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly"
Can you respond as John did? You can
not, IL you are normal, look forward to
death with joy; but unless you are an alb
normal Christian, you do look forward
with Joy to that blessed hope.
Lord Jesus. Thou canst not come too
soon, and I can wait,
II Thou come late"
so am watching quietly
Every day.
Whenever the sun shines bright
1 rise and say:
Surely it is the shining of His face
And look unto the gates of His high place
Beyond the sea,
For I know He Is coming shortly
To summon me.
And when a shadow falls across the
, window
OF my room,
Where l am working my appointed task,
lift my head to watch the door and ask
II He is come:
And the angel answers softly
In my home,
Only a few more shadows
And He will come
MY brethren, Jesus is coming; Just
when, no man knoweth save the Father.
He has given us our task. Let us. in
obedience to Him, do each day our very
best because we love Him; and when He
comes suddenly, turn from our task and
Hin, oil HxyaIcoy,a ,fS