and commanded them to preach repentance and remission of sins in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, and promised to send them the promise of the Father, and enjoined them to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high; "he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them; and it came to pass, that while he blessed them, he was parted from them and carried up into heaven." While the disciples, awestruck, were worshipping their ascending Lord, a cloud received him out of their sight, and two angels, like men in white apparel, recalled them to the real circumstances of their situation, by saying, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye here gazing up to heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Of what took place within the veil, beyond these visible heavens in the heaven of heavens, we cannot now speak particularly. No doubt the whole celestial city was moved at his coming, and a meet reception was given by the King the Lord of Hosts, and all his loyal subjects, to Him who is the King, and the King's Son, returning more than a conqueror from this fearful conflict with sin, and death, and hell. A name is given him above every name. He sits down on his Father's throne at his right hand, angels, and authorities, and powers, are made subject to him, and most gladly is the command. obeyed, "Let all the angels of God worship him." up Thus has the Son of man gone forth from the grave to the crown, from the grave to the throne; thus has He, through suffering and degradation, entered into glory and happiness. Thus has he gone to the Father. And in thus going, he went as it is written, as it was determined. For these are the recorded oracles of God, which are but revelations of his eternal decrees:-"Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thy holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet: Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing praises." "Thou hast ascended on high; thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men." "The King shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. For thou preventest him with the blessings of thy goodness: thou hast set a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid on him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.” “I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him : his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." Such is the prediction, such the decree of God; and thus does it appear, then, in the second, as well as in the first, stage of his journey, "the Son of man goeth as it is written, goeth as it was determined." Brethren, the Son of man, who came from heaven to earth, and is gone from earth to heaven, will once again come from heaven to earth. We observe the Lord's Supper till he comes, "looking for our Lord from heaven." When he comes, he comes not to continue on earth, but to gather together all his elect ones, and take them with him, soul and body, to the heaven of heavens, to live and reign with him for ever and ever. Such is the blessed hope he has connected with his glorious appearance. Cherish this hope, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling; cherish this hope, and live under its influence. He is gone, and you must go. You would not wish surely to stay always in a world from which he has departed. When you go, whom ever, whatever you go from, you go to him; and is not to depart when it is to be with Christ far better? Live habitually under the influence of the hope of going to be with him in spirit when you die; going to be with him in body and spirit when you rise again. He has prepared a place for you; he is preparing you for that place; and he will come again and take you to himself, that where he is there ye may be also. Whither ye go ye know, and the way ye know. Wonder not if some part of the way should be dark and dreary, rugged and thorny; think of the way in which he went, and humbly, hopefully tread in his footsteps, even when they are marked with blood. He will not leave your redeemed souls in the separate state; he will not permit your sanctified bodies for ever to be the prey of corruption. He that should come will come, and take all his people home to his Father's house; presenting them, every one of them, the whole of every one of them-soul, body, and spirit—to Him, a glorious church, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. He will by and by show you, as his Father showed him, the path of life, and in his light you shall see light clearly. Oh, while we look for such things, what manner of persons should we be in all holy conversation and godliness! Surely, we should be "steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, inasmuch as we know our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord." And "now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope, through grace comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” |