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It is no accident that those who
believe the teaching of the return of Jesus
Christ are the most fervent in witnessing and
soul winning. If you draw up one
list of the great mission-pioneers, the fruitful
evangelists, and the inspired teachers of the
Bible---and another list of the outstanding
believers in the imminent coming of the
Lord Jesus, you will find that the two lists are
the same.
C.H. Blanchard wrote, "All
who have grasped the truth of the Lord's return
have felt that they must shape their lives in
the light of the fact." He then
recalled the effect upon himself when he first
discovered the meaning of "the promise" of
Christ's return in the early years of his
Christian life:
"Though I was busy and
devoted in service, it quickened my desires,
increased my love, and gave me a brighter
outlook. Moreover, it seemed to
reveal a new Bible; the Word became more
luminous, emphatic and interesting.
It revolutionized my Christian experience
and stirred my heart to new
enthusiasm."
R.A. Torrey and J. Hudson
Taylor testified in the same way of the sudden
effect the truth of the return of the Lord Jesus
Christ had upon their lives. When
really believed, it does transform lives and
stir men from their complacency to action
to bring back the king!
If you do not
love the teaching of the return of Christ, you
should get on your knees and ask the Lord to
search your heart, that you might see the true
reason for any antagonism. Could it
be that this present world has too much of a
hold on you? Prayerful searching of the heart
should bring you to remove that antagonism and
make you "love His appearing" (2Tim.
4:8).
