“CHRIST’S AND “READY.”

Hoa Maori, Issue 26, 1 October 1892, Page 4

“CHRIST’S AND “READY.”

gSefliOST of the readers of The Maori Friend know that the piomised . “coming’! of our Lord Jesus Christ, for which we wait, is in respect of two classes of people. First Those who sleep in Jesus. Second: Those believers

who are alive, and remain unto His coming. In other words, for those who have died, and whose bodies have been laid low in the grave ; and for those Christians who are still alive on the earth when He returns. I Thess. iv 15-18.

Let me remind you what will happen to these two classes of people at His coming. The bodies of those who have died will be raised up out of their graves, and the bodies of those who are alive will be changed, all being made like the glorious body of the Lord Jesus—Phil. iii. 20, 21; then, together, they will be caught up to meet Him in the air.l Thess. iv. 17. All this will happen “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” 1 Cor. xv. 52. Whi.t joy ! what blessing 1 They will be for ever with and like their Lord. Out of all those who have died, ever since sin came into the world, there will be a company singled out. The scriptural name of that company is “ They that are Christ's I. Cor, xy. 23. Out of all the vast number of those who ore still living throughout this wide world, there will also he a company singled out—a heavenly company—to go up and meet their Lord. The name of that company is, “They that” are “ready." Matt. xxv. 10. These two companies together will go into their heavenly home, the Bather’s house ; and then the door will he shut.

Now, if you should he called away through death before our Lord Jesus Christ comes, would you he amongst “those that are Christ’s ” when He comes, and betaken up to meet Him, and to be for ever with Him ? or, would you he amongst those who will he afterwards raised up to appear before the great white throne; and who will be judged according to their works, and cast . into the lake of fire ? —Her. 20, ( 11-15. On the other hand, if the Lord should, come while you still live and remain, would His coming find you amongst the “ ready 1 , ones ? or, would it find you amongst those who, when it is too late, will seek admission, saying, “Lord, Lord open to us;", and to whom He will reply, “ Verily verily, I say unto you, I know you not?”,.; uom-y:! ■

Boys often Lear the words, 11 Are you ready ?” before being started in a race, and know that the prize frequently depends on being ready to make a good start. This question is oftentimes a far more important one, and one in which eternal issues are involved. Are you ready? “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” Therefore, be ready. Those who are “Christ’s,” and those who are “ready,” will go in with Him, and the door will be shut.