The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

LESSON TEXT: Mark 1880. 31-3T.
GOLDEN TEXT: Watch We therefore. for
ye know not when the master Of the house
cometh.--Mark 1888.
God has a plan, and even now
when men seem to have turned all
order into chaos, we know that God
is working out His purpose. The i'm
portant crisis in that plan Of God
which we now await Is the return
Of Christ, His second coming.
He will come secretly to call His
own Church, the Bride, to Himself,
and then He will come openly, In
great glory, when every eye shall
behold Him. Then His enemies
shall be COMPOUNDED, and His eternal
kingdom be established.
We look for His coming, but while
we wait (and 1t may. not be longl)
we are to occupy for Him until He
comes. Our lesson tells men
I. What to Expect While Waiting
for Christ (vv. 3-9).
First, we note that we are to ex-
pect the coming Of false teachers
and false Christs, who will claim to
be the fulfllment of the prophetic
Scriptures. We need only one adj
monition concerning them, "Take
heed that no man lead you astray."
There have always been such false
leaders who for the prominence or
gain afforded them are willing to Of
fer bewildered mankind all sorts Of
panaceas whereby 1t is supposed to
solve its problems. 1t seems that
these men increase in numbers when
great crises, such as war, come upon
the nations. Do not be misled by
them. Just because man seems to
be devout and processes to be in
terested in Christ's return does not
make him a dependable teacher.
Are not these the very ones Jesus
warned against? They must meet
the test Of all Of Gods Word.
\ Christ warns believers that before
the end of the age there will be
worldwide war, earthquakes in
many places, and famines. These
are to be expected, and will come.
But here a word of caution is need
ed. We must not seize upon present
events and rush out Cor into print)
and tell people that "this is It'll"
We should be alert in relating
world events to the teaching OF
Scripture, but let us make haste
slowly" But let no one assume that
the need for caution justifies him in
ignoring either the Word or world
events. We are to be alert, well
informed, spiritual and ready.
III. What to DO While Waiting for
Christ ". 10Y.
Preach the gospel That is our
first and most important business.
Our Lord said that the whole world
was to be evangelical before the
end came. Please note carefully
that He did not say that all nations
will be saved, but that they will hear
the gospel.
That is our responsibility-to see
to it that every nation has a full
and free opportunity to hear the
blessed gospel message. We have
not done it, and the failure OF the
Church at that point is dark blot
on its record.
There seems to be a revival Of
interest in the work of missions now,
and there are many who believe that
at the close of this war almost the
entire world will be open for Chris
tian missionaries. This will prob
ably be true for a limited time only,
and it is the urgent business Of the
Church now to prepare the mission
aries who will then be needed.
And in the meantime we should
all be busy about the all-important
matter of teaching and preaching
the gospel. It is the best prepare
ton for the coming Of Christ and
the thing we would want to be doing
when He comes.
iii. How to Live While Waiting
for Christ wv. 31-37).
There should be an air Of expect
ancy constantly characterizing the
Christian. We are looking for Some
one-yes, a very definite and glori-
Gus One-our Lord Himself.
We do not know when He will
come ". 32). That is a matter hid
den in the eternal counsels Of God
the Father, a secret into which an
gels do not pry, and which even the
Son did not know. Why then do
foolish men attempt to learn it? Be-
ware Of any man who sets date
for Christ's return or for the end q
the age. He is setting himself up
as being superior to Christ. and you
can be sure that he is, an impostor.
We do not know the day, but Of
the fact we are.sure. Christ Is COM
ing againi So we are to be watchful
aswe wait. God has not called US
to stand idle, looking for the dawn
ing Of that glorious day. We are to
be about His business, but every
where and always, wide awake and
looking for Him.
That kind Of a believer (and all
believers should be that kindly will
pray. We are to watch and pray"
They 60 together. The one who