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— No thoughtful man can be satisfied with a mere worldly life — continued existence, a round of selfish pursuits, and sensual delights which deaden the finest instincts.

I. THE VITAL PRINCIPLE THAT IS RECOGNIZED. The relation between Christ and His people is vital. Christ is not merely the source and support of their life, but is it. There can be no life — physical, mental, or spiritual — apart from the action of the Divine mind. A- sculptor may carve a most life-like figure, but he cannot impart the vital principle.

1. This life is spiritual in its nature. The Christian is surrounded by material things, and resides in a material body; but his spiritual life is distinct. Christ creates and controls it. It is the life of faith, hope, love.

2. It is eternal in its duration. It does not prevent physical dissolution, but survives it. Christ has given us the fullest assurance of our immortality? It is part of the Divine life; therefore age cannot enfeeble its powers, disease cannot impair its beauty, and death cannot terminate its existence.

3. What is your life? Are you living to gratify the lowest or highest instincts of your nature? If the former your life is not worth living.

II. THE SPLENDID SPECTACLE THAT IS PREDICTED.

1. The manner of Christ's appearing "in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." It is a splendid sight to witness a military review, to see the glittering swords, serried ranks, waving banners, to hear the clattering drums, martial strains, triumphant shout. But no earthly scene is worth comparing with the grandeur and solemnity of the second coming of Christ. Millions were ignorant of His first advent; all shall see His second.

2. Its purpose.

(1) To be glorified. Once He appeared in weakness and humiliation; then in power and majesty.

(2) To glorify us.

3. Its time. Unknown, and to attempt to settle it is to trifle with God's Word. When it comes it will be sudden and unexpected.

III. THE GLORIOUS HOPE THAT IS AWAKENED. From the cradle to the grave our life is inspired by hope. The Christian hope is —

1. That one day we shall be with Christ. There are earthly companionships for which the heart sighs. Our affections cling to those we love. The believer clings to Christ who is the object of all his hope and desire.

2. That one day we shall participate in Christ's glory. What that glory is no mind can conceive. Can the seed understand the sweetness and beauty of the flower? the stone the form and grace of the statue? Here God's children are often poor and unknown. By and by Christ will recognize, honour, crown them. The poet's fame is brief, the soldier's glory uncertain, the king's crown perishable, but the Christian's triumph certain and eternal.

(J. T. Woodhouse.)

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KJV: When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

WEB: When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.