the acts of the apostles-第113章
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mountains； and in dens and caves of the earth。〃 Hebrews 11：36…38。
The enemy of righteousness left nothing undone in his effort to stop the
work committed to the Lord's builders。 But God 〃left not Himself without
witness。〃 Acts 14：17。 Workers were raised up who ably defended the faith
once delivered to the saints。 History bears record to the fortitude and
heroism of these men。 Like the apostles； many of them fell at their post；
but the building of the temple went steadily forward。 The workmen were
slain； but the work advanced。 The Waldenses； John Wycliffe； Huss and Jerome；
Martin Luther and Zwingli； Cranmer； Latimer； and Knox； the Huguenots； John
and Charles Wesley； and a host of others brought to the foundation material
that will endure throughout eternity。 And in later years those who have so
nobly endeavored to promote the circulation of God's word； and those who by
their service in heathen lands have prepared the way for the proclamation of
the last great message these also have helped to rear the structure。
Through the ages that have passed since the days of the apostles； the
building of God's temple has never ceased。 We may look back through the
centuries and see the living stones of which it is composed gleaming like
jets of light through the darkness of error and superstition。 Throughout
eternity these precious jewels will shine with increasing luster； testifying
to the power of the truth of God。 The flashing light
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of these polished stones reveals the strong contrast between light and
darkness； between the gold of truth and the dross of error。
Paul and the other apostles； and all the righteous who have lived since
then； have acted their part in the building of the temple。 But the structure
is not yet complete。 We who are living in this age have a work to do； a part
to act。 We are to bring to the foundation material that will stand the test
of firegold； silver； and precious stones； 〃polished after the similitude
of a palace。〃 Psalm 144：12。 To those who thus build for God； Paul speaks
words of encouragement and warning： 〃If any man's work abide which he hath
built thereupon； he shall receive a reward。 If any man's work shall be
burned； he shall suffer loss： but he himself shall be saved； yet so as by
fire。〃 1 Corinthians 3：14； 15。 The Christian who faithfully presents the
word of life； leading men and women into the way of holiness and peace； is
bringing to the foundation material that will endure； and in the kingdom of
God he will be honored as a wise builder。
Of the apostles it is written； 〃They went forth； and preached everywhere；
the Lord working with them； and confirming the word with signs following。〃
Mark 16：20。 As Christ sent forth His disciples； so today He sends forth the
members of His church。 The same power that the apostles had is for them。 If
they will make God their strength； He will work with them； and they shall
not labor in vain。 Let them realize that the work in which they are engaged
is one upon which the Lord has placed His signet。 God said to
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Jeremiah； 〃Say not； I am a child： for thou shalt go to all that I shall send
thee； and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak。 Be not afraid of their
faces： for I am with thee to deliver thee。〃 Then the Lord put forth His hand
and touched His servant's mouth； saying； 〃Behold； I have put My words in thy
mouth。〃 Jeremiah 1：7…9。 And He bids us go forth to speak the words He gives
us； feeling His holy touch upon our lips。
Christ has given to the church a sacred charge。 Every member should be a
channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His
grace； the unsearchable riches of Christ。 There is nothing that the Saviour
desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and His
character。 There is nothing that the world needs so much as the
manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love。 All heaven is waiting
for men and women through whom God can reveal the power of Christianity。
The church is God's agency for the proclamation of truth； empowered by Him
to do a special work； and if she is loyal to Him； obedient to all His
commandments； there will dwell within her the excellency of divine grace。 If
she will be true to her allegiance； if she will honor the Lord God of
Israel； there is no power that can stand against her。
Zeal for God and His cause moved the disciples to bear witness to the gospel
with mighty power。 Should not a like zeal fire our hearts with a
determination to tell the story of redeeming love； of Christ and Him
crucified？ It is the privilege of every Christian； not only to look for； but
to hasten the coming of the Saviour。
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If the church will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness； withdrawing
from all allegiance with the world； there is before her the dawn of a bright
and glorious day。 God's promise to her will stand fast forever。 He will make
her an eternal excellency； a joy of many generations。 Truth； passing by
those who despise and reject it； will triumph。 Although at times apparently
retarded； its progress has never been checked。 When the message of God meets
with opposition； He gives it additional force； that it may exert greater
influence。 Endowed with divine energy； it will cut its way through the
strongest barriers and triumph over every obstacle。
What sustained the Son of God during His life of toil and sacrifice？ He saw
the results of the travail of His soul and was satisfied。 Looking into
eternity； He beheld the happiness of those who through His humiliation had
received pardon and everlasting life。 His ear caught the shout of the
redeemed。 He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb。
We may have a vision of the future； the blessedness of heaven。 In the Bible
are revealed visions of the future glory； scenes pictured by the hand of
God； and these are dear to His church。 By faith we may stand on the
threshold of the eternal city； and hear the gracious welcome given to those
who in this life co…operate with Christ； regarding it as an honor to suffer
for His sake。 As the words are spoken； 〃Come； ye blessed of My Father；〃 they
cast their crowns at the feet of the Redeemer； exclaiming； 〃Worthy is the
Lamb that was slain to receive power； and riches； and wisdom； and strength；
and honor； and glory； and blessing。
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。 。 。 Honor； and glory； and power； be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne；
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever。〃 Matthew 25：34； Revelation 5：12； 13。
There the redeemed greet those who led them to the Saviour； and all unite in
praising Him who died that human beings might have the life that measures
with the life of God。 The conflict is over。 Tribulation and strife are at an
end。 Songs of victory fill all heaven as the ransomed ones take up the
joyful strain； Worthy； worthy is the Lamb that was slain； and lives again； a
triumphant conqueror。
〃I beheld； and； lo； a great multitude； which no man could number； of all
nations； and kindreds； and people； and tongues； stood before the throne； and
before the Lamb； clothed with white robes； and palms in their hands； and
cried with a loud voice； saying； Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
throne； and unto the Lamb。〃 Revelation 7：9； 10。
〃These are they which came out of great tribulation； and have washed their
robes； and made them white in the blood of the Lamb。 Therefore are they
before the throne of God； and serve Him day and night in His temple： and He
that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them。 They shall hunger no
more； neither thirst any more； neither shall the sun light on them； nor any
heat。 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them； and
shall lead them unto living fountains of waters： and God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes。〃 〃And there shall be no more death； neither sorrow；
nor crying； neither shall there be any more pain： for the former things are
passed away。〃 Revelation 7：14…17； 21：4。
The End
