The Age is Surely Closing

 

By  Anna R Gadsden

 

The age is surely closing, the time is hastening, when

The ‘lie’ and ‘strong delusion’ shall grip the minds of men;

And when our blessed Saviour, for Whose return we pray,

With sudden blaze of glory shall change the night to day.

 

He comes no more in sorrow, to wear a crown of thorn,

To bear with human hatred, with mockery and scorn;

But on the clouds descending, invested with all power,

While earth and heaven tremble in that tremendous hour.

 

For every eye shall see Him, and they who pierced His side,

Adore their King-Messiah, though some be scattered wide;

His saints* from all the ages, a ransomed Blood-bought throng.

Caught in the clouds to meet Him, join in redemption’s song.

 

When on Mount of Olives His feet stand once again.

The quivering mass is sundered by earthquake rent in twain;

The Valley of Decision is swept by awful power,

The lawless foes of Israel are smitten in that hour.*

 

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*FOOTNOTES

1. (Jas. 1: 12 and Rev. 2: 10) is for those who “seek glory and honour by patient endurance” (Rom. 2: 7). Eternal Life we already have in Christ; this reward - life in the age to come - is for those who live Christ. 2 Tim. 2: 12 tells us that sufferers, endurers, “reign”.  In the days of Acts 14: 22; Phil. 1: 29; 2 Cor. 12: 10, the privilege of winning such a crown as this was courted by loyal hearts, and still should be until He comes. Gal. 6: 9 encourages us in such a path.

 

2. “The harvest is composed of those for whom Christ has overcome, the firstfruits are those in whom and through whom He has overcome …

 

If Peter, James, John and Andrew needed the warnings given them by our Lord to ‘Take heed’ to ‘watch and pray’ (Mk. 13: 3, 5, 9, 23, 33), and ‘be ye also ready’ (Matt. 24: 44), it is clear that something more is wanted of us than faith in Christ for salvation if we would be ripe enough for the firstfruits.  The teaching that everyone who believes is ready for the coming of the Lord is a deadly narcotic.  No wonder the Church is asleep!

 

If, on the other hand, we see that, being [eternally] saved [by grace alone], there is yet a prize to be won which is worth the counting of all else as refuse, then we find it a powerful stimulant to a holy and victorious life in union with our coming Lord.”  - A CHAMPION.

 

3. ‘The Age is Surely Coming,’ but who will enter into it?  Our Lord answers our question:-

 

“He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me IN MY THRONE, as I overcame and sat down with my Father in his throne,” (Rev. 3: 21): and what ‘Throne’ might our Lord be talking about, which He promised to His apostles?  His Millennial Throne, where they will: “eat and drink at my table IN MY KINGDOM: and ye shall sit on THRONES judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Lk. 22: 30).  Therefore, the ‘Thrones’ in the “Age” to come, for we read of no vines growing in heaven!]

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