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This blending of light and obscurity —

I. LEAVES US IN A STATE MORE SUITABLE AND MORE PROFITABLE THAN EITHER ABSOLUTE IGNORANCE OR PERFECT KNOWLEDGE.

1. It awakens feelings which the former would fail to excite, and which —

2. The latter would quench as they arose.

II. IT IS SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO KEEP ALIVE EXPECTATION, BY BRINGING EMPHATICALLY BEFORE US THE PERPETUAL POSSIBILITY OF AN IMMEDIATE MANIFESTATION. It keeps us in a state of —

1. Lively hope;

2. Watchfulness;

3. Humility;

4. Fidelity;

5. Earnest inquiry after truth;

6. Reverence and dread.

(W. A. Butler, M. A.)

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KJV: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

WEB: so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;