Epistles to the Thessalonians
79
will God bring up the sleeping saints with him from their graves, and
take them with him to Heaven. Precious consolation! glorious hope!
not only to the church of Thessalonica, but to all true Christians who
live upon the earth.
Paul had previously so fully canvassed the subject of the signs of
the times, showing what events would transpire prior to the revelation
of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven, that he did not consider it
necessary to enter largely upon those particulars again on this occasion.
He, however, pointedly referred to his former teachings on that subject:
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you; for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and
safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them.”
The careless and unbelieving close their eyes to the evidence which
Christ has given to warn men of his coming. They seek to quiet all
apprehension, while, at the same time, the signs of the end are rapidly
fulfilling, and the world is hastening to the period of the revelation of
the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. But those who receive the
light of truth as it shines upon their pathway, are not in darkness that
this great event should come upon them unawares. Paul teaches that it
would be sinful to be indifferent to the signs which should precede the
second coming of Christ. Those who should be guilty of this neglect,
he calls children of the night and of darkness. He encourages the
vigilant and watchful with these words: “But ye, brethren, are not in
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darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the
children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night,
nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us
watch and be sober.”
The teachings of the apostle upon this point are especially impor-
tant to the church in our time. Above all others, those who are living
so near to the great consummation, should be sober and watchful. The
watchful Christian is a working Christian, seeking zealously to purify
his life, and to do all in his power for the cause of God. As his love for
his Redeemer increases, so also does his love for his fellow-creatures
increase. He has severe trials, as did his Master; and, like him, he is to
some extent a man of sorrows, mourning because of the abominations
done in the land. But this grief does not sour his temper, nor destroy
his peace of mind. His afflictions, if well borne, refine and purify his