_Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here._
MEN ADMIRING DOOMED THINGS
“What manner of stones, and what buildings are here!” An outburst
of admiration this. The stones were indeed beautiful. That sacred
building was constructed of prodigious blocks of white marble, some of
whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tell us, when shall these things be?_
DATE FIXING
That’s it! Fix the date of the coming failure, or the coming
triumph. All of us are ready to join in that request. How we long to
have the veil of the future lifted; and how well it is that the Lord
does not gratify our longing in this. There is n... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when ye shall hear of wars._
TROUBLOUS TIMES
I. We are here forewarned to expect trouble, “Ye shall hear of wars
and rumours of wars”; and it follows, “such things must needs
be”; look for no other. Is not our life a warfare?
1. This points immediately at those wars which brought on the fina... [ Continue Reading ]
_These are the beginnings of sorrows._
THE BEGINNINGS OF SORROWS
I. The value of these facts in relation to the life and character of
the Lord. He is the prophet of the church. He was a revealer of
secrets. His word was verified to the letter. The church lives in evil
times on the word of her unse... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the gospel must first be published among all nations._
EXTENT OF APOSTOLIC MISSIONARY LABOURS
Doubtless this prediction will only receive its complete
accomplishment in the secondary application of the prophesy, but we
hardly realize how near it was to fulfilment before the destruction of
Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up._
THE DISCIPLES LED, DELIVERED, AND TAUGHT
Our Lord is here foretelling the persecutions which the disciples
would be called upon to suffer for the gospel’s sake, and is arming
them against the errors, the deceits, and the cruelties of those
times.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now the brother shall betray the brother to death._
CHRISTIANITY CAUSING DIVISION
As Christianity gives birth to and cherishes the most perfect love, so
it calls forth the most bitter hatred. It calls forth a love which is
above nature, because it makes men love their enemies. Contrariwise it
call... [ Continue Reading ]
_But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved._
OF LETTING GO AND GIVING UP
The tower of a lofty Christian character and life is not going to push
itself up in a night like Jonah’s gourd. You cannot wake up some
fine morning, in glad surprise, to find it finished to the turret
sto... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let him that readeth understand._
NEED OF AN ATTENTIVE MIND
Let him strive to understand (this means) by reading with utmost
attention, diligence, and devotion, weeping as John did, till the
sealed book was opened; digging deep in the mine of the Scriptures for
the mind of God, and holding it fas... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not go down into the house._
OPPORTUNITY TO BE SEIZED
Opportunity is like a string of stepping stones across a ford. The
traveller, coming up to them, may find the river so swollen with the
rains that the stones are all but covered. If he delay, though his
home be on the opposite bank, and full i... [ Continue Reading ]
_That your flight be not in the winter._
THE DIFFICULTY OF CONVERSION IN OLD AGE
There is a winter in human life, as there is a winter in the seasons
of the year. Infancy is our spring; and the bud of existence which is
then nourished and cherished, opens its flowers during the summer of
youth. In... [ Continue Reading ]
_For in those days shall be affliction._
AFFLICTIONS GOD’S HIRED LABOURERS
Afflictions are God’s hired labourers, to break the clods and plough
the land. (_Anon._)
TROUBLE A LEVER
Trouble is often the lever in God’s hand to raise us up to heaven.
(_Anon._)
SORROW AN INSTRUCTOR
Has it never occ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shortened those days._
GOD SHORTENED THE SIEGE
Many circumstances combined to secure the primary fulfilment of these
words. The incomplete state of the fortifications, the paucity of
food, the factious fights within the city, etc., shortened the siege;
and Titus himself exclaimed, “God has fought... [ Continue Reading ]
_For false Christs._
FALSE CHRISTS
David George, _e.g., _who ultimately settled at Basle, where he died
in 1556. He claimed, according to the account of Dr. Henry More, to be
the true Christ, the dear Son of God, born not of the flesh, but of
the Spirit. He was to restore the house of Israel, and r... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Son of Man coming in the clouds._
CHRIST’S SECOND ADVENT
It has been as much a hope as a fear in all religions of men that
there would be a verdict which would on the one hand bring forth
men’s righteousness as the light, and on the other change their
pride in sin to shame. For a new start th... [ Continue Reading ]
_That summer is near._
A SIGN OF THE ETERNAL SUMMER APPROACHING
When Dr. Rees preached last in North Wales a friend said to him-one of
those who are always reminding people that they are getting old-“You
are whitening fast, Dr. Rees.” The old gentleman did not say
anything then; but when he got to... [ Continue Reading ]
_But My words shall not pass away._
THE PERPETUITY OF CHRIST’S WORDS
Contrast the apparent transitoriness of “words” with the solid
earth and the “eternal heavens.” Yet when these shall have faded
away the words of Christ will still endure.
I. In a literal sense the text reminds us that the words... [ Continue Reading ]
_But of that day and that hour knoweth no man._
THE DAY AND THE HOUR
I. The practical importance of conceding the day and hour when the Son
of Man shall come from the knowledge of the Church and of all mankind.
1. Were the day and the hour of the Saviour’s advent specifically
and unmistakably sta... [ Continue Reading ]
_And to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch._
CHRISTIAN WATCHFULNESS
I. A certain event referred to. That He should go away was necessary.
1. It was impossible that His state of humiliation should be
continued.
2. The work He had to do in heaven required His presence there.
3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Watch ye, therefore._
WATCHFULNESS, A PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST
I. What we are to understand by the coming of the master of the house.
By “the master of the house” here is meant Christ, as it is also
in Luke 13:25. The world in general, and the visible Church in
particular, and especial... [ Continue Reading ]
_And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch._
WATCHFULNESS
I. In what does this watchfulness consist? Consider it in reference to
the coming of Christ, and our solemn appearance before Him. In this
respect it implies-
1. Thoughtfulness. Sinners are so intent upon buying and selling that
they... [ Continue Reading ]