I T my seem to som e that the major ity of the Olivet Discourse deals only with the subject of judgment. To some extent this is true. But in the midst of the midnight hour, it will not be long before the Day-star begins to appear. In Matthew 24:40 and 41, our Lord draws some interesting likenesses, “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” Here we have a sharpen ing of the nature of the judgment. This shows us how total it will be in its affect. Our Lord uses a picture from agriculture or daily life. This was the predominant work in Pales tine at that time. The Lord doesn’t give any indication as to why one is taken and another is left. He does not speak of the virtue of either man. The point is the suddenness with which judgment comes. The same is true of the two women. Grain is brought from the fields to the mill. It wasn’t as we might picture one of our mod ern factories. These mills generally took two people to operate them. This was the customary work for the wom en. The Lord picked out two out standing things in the daily life of the Jew to illustrate the suddenness of judgment. The ones who are left ip that day will be stunned and startled by the absence of those who previ ously have been among them. Jude says, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord com- eth with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (verses 14, 15). What a theme: “un godly.” This spells out the reason for
the sudden judgment described by our Lord. We are speaking of the judg ment which shall come to this earth after the time of Great Tribulation. It shall be upon the Gentiles as well. They have rejected the Saviour and despised His Word. The day of His THE LOVE STORY OF THE SKIES Christmas is the seal of God's great love; Wondrous love sent down from heaven above; God's redeeming love for all mankind; Love beyond the measure of man's mind. Love that cancels all our debt of sin; Love that gives us joy and peace within; Love that opens wide the golden door. Leading us to heaven's treasure store. There, by faith, our raptured eyes behold All God's priceless gifts of love un told; Love revealed to us through Christ, His Son; He, the matchless, sinless Holy One; He, who triumphed over death's dark day; Opened up the new and living way; Christ, our Lord, the Babe of Bethle hem, Now adorned with royal diadem. Let us then lift up our grateful praise On this blessed, hallowed day of days; This the birthday of a King, our King, Unto Whom our heart's deep love we bring. — A. S. Reitz mercy will be over. The floodgates of wrath will be open. The scourging will not be done by secondary agents but God Himself will sponsor it. God is going to show man, beyond the per- 3
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