“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him,” (2 Thessalonians 2:1 (ESV)
John Charles (J.C.) Ryle (10 May 1816 – 10 June 1900) was an English evangelical Anglican bishop. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. Ryle was a strong critic of ritualism. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. The following article, entitled The Great Gathering, first appeared in 1878.
The MANNER of this “gathering together” is plainly revealed in Scripture. The dead saints shall all be raised, and the living saints shall all be changed. It is written, “The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them.” “The dead in Christ shall rise first. Those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” “We shall not all sleep — but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed!” (Revelation 20:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52.) And then, when every member of Christ is found, and not one left behind, when soul and body, those old companions, are once more reunited — then shall be the grand “gathering together.”
The OBJECT of this “gathering together” is as clearly revealed in Scripture as its manner. It is partly for the final reward of Christ’s people — that their complete justification from all guilt may be declared to all creation; that they may receive the “unfading crown of glory,” and the “kingdom prepared before the foundation of the world;” that they may be admitted publicly into the joy of their Lord.
(a) This gathering will be a great one. ALL children of God who have ever lived, from Abel the first saint down to the last born in the day that our Lord comes — all of every age, and nation, and church, and people, and tongue — all shall be assembled together. Not one shall be overlooked or forgotten. The weakest and feeblest shall not be left behind. Now, when “scattered,” true Christians seem a little flock; then, when “gathered,” they shall be found a multitude which no man can number.
(b) This gathering will be a wonderful one. The saints from distant lands, who never saw each other in the flesh, and could not understand each other’s speech if they met — shall all be brought together in one harmonious company. The dwellers in Australia shall find they are as near Heaven, and as soon there, as the dwellers in England. The believers who died five thousand years ago, and whose bones are mere dust — shall find their bodies raised and renewed as quickly as those who are alive when the trumpet sounds. Above all, miracles of grace will be revealed. We shall see some in Heaven, who we never expected would have been saved at all. The confusion of tongues shall at length be reversed, and done away. The assembled multitude will cry with one heart and in one language, “What has God wrought!” (Num. 23:23.)
(c) This gathering shall be a humbling one. It shall make an end of bigotry and narrow-mindedness forever. The Christians of one denomination shall find themselves side by side with those of another denomination. If they would not tolerate them on earth — they will be obliged to tolerate them in Heaven. Churchmen and Dissenters, who will neither pray together nor worship together now, will discover to their shame, that they must praise together hereafter to all eternity! The very people who will not receive us at their ordinances now, and keep us back from their Table — will be obliged to acknowledge us before our Master’s face, and to let us sit down by their side. Never, will the world have seen such a complete overthrow of sectarianism, party-spirit, unbrotherliness, religious jealousy, and religious pride! At last, we shall all be completely “clothed with humility.” (1 Peter 5:5.)
This mighty, wonderful “gathering together,” is the gathering which ought to be often in men’s thoughts. It deserves consideration — it demands attention. Gatherings of other kinds are incessantly occupying our minds, political gatherings, scientific gatherings, gatherings for pleasure, gatherings for gain. But the hour comes, and will soon be here, when gatherings of this kind will be completely forgotten! One thought alone will swallow up men’s minds — that thought will be, “Shall I be gathered with Christ’s people into a place of safety and honor — or be left behind to everlasting woe?” Let us take care that we are not left behind!
Will you be part of the gathering together of the saints when Jesus Christ returns in power might and glory? God commands sinners, by the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8; Titus 3:1-5), to repent of their sins and to receive salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (John 12:1-12; Acts 2:32-38; Romans 3:21-26; Eph. 2:1-10).
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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