G lory to G od in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). “ For the Lord him self shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (I Thess. 4:16). More than nineteen hundred years ago, lowly Pales tinian shepherds received an angelic visitor who greeted them with the thrilling message, “ Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” This joyful message was the announcement that a Saviour had been bom. Then an angelic host joined the angel herald in the mighty chorus: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” This theme has re-echoed down through the cen turies. It has been the inspiration for the most enjoyable season of the year. But there is another equally awe-inspiring event which is yet future. This momentous occurrence will be ushered in with the sound of the trumpet. The cry of all Chris tian hearts is, “How long will it be until we shall hear the sound of the trump of God with its attendant shout and voice of the archangel?” Its promise and prospect are the hope of the church and the joy of every believing heart. PROPHECY The angels’ chorus was prophecy fulfilled. The an cient prophecy that the Seed of the woman should one day bruise the serpent’s head; that a virgin should con ceive and bring forth a Son; that a Child should be bom, upon whose shoulder the government of the world would rest — the promise of the Deliverer or His people and of the Light to lighten the Gentiles, was now fulfilled. The Word had become flesh and dwelt among men. The Son of God had laid aside His glory that He might make Himself of no reputation and become “ fashioned like as a man.” “A child is bom . . . a son is given” ! The only way by which God’s Son could become a man was by a human birth. What a glorious testimony to the identity of the newly-bom Child! He was not a product of the race; He did not come up out of the human family, but He came down from God. Wonderful gift of God’s love! The sound of the trumpet is next in God’s prophetic calendar. The prophets not only foretold the coming of a Babe but also they spoke of the day of the coming of the King of kings. The fulfillment of this great truth is the ex pectation of the church, its glorious hope, the only an swer Jo the need of the world. The sound of the trumpet
will mark the beginning of the fulfillment of a great line of prophetic Scriptures. It will be a great hour for the church of God when, in accordance with First Thessalon- ians 4:13-18, the saints will be caught up to meet the Bridegroom. The trumpet blast refers to the resurrection of believers as recorded in First Corinthians 15:52: “ The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” The angels announced to the Jewish nation that the Deliverer whose coming the prophets predicted was here, but the trumpet will proclaim to a prepared bride that her Absent Lover has come to fulfill His prom ise” : “ If I go . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” This will be the answer to the High Priestly prayer of Jesus: “ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 17:24). The sound of the trumpet will bring nearer the day when Israel, a present world problem, will be brought into her own by the coming of her Messiah. At that time the Palestinian problem will be settled in short order. PROCLAMATION When the angels made their proclamation, only a very few were expecting it and had ears attuned to the message of the heavenly host. Among these who waited for “ the consolation of Israel” were the expectant par ents, devout Simeon, the godly prophetess, Anna, and the poor shepherds, watching their flocks by night. Jerusa lem, the center of Judaism, the seat of Jewish life and religion, was not in a state of expectancy. Later, when the wise men came to Jerusalem, making inquiry about the young child, none were aware of or concerned with this glorious event. It is significant that when the Magi went outside of the city, they again beheld the star. It is lamentable indeed when religion can obscure the things that are most priceless and essential to life. The Roman authorities, intoxicated with their temporal power, did not dream that the despised Babe in a manger was the King of kings and Lord of lords. When the sound of the trumpet announces Christ’s re turn to receive His own, only a small company out of the mass of population or even the devotees of religious or ganizations will be looking for and expecting His com ing. The very language of the indifferent has been pre dicted, “Where is the promise of his coming?” The ma terialistic attitude of our generation chills the heart to any such prospect and dims the eye of vision to this glorious outlook. When Christ’s coming was announced by the angel, neither the Jews nor the Romans had a place for Him.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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