“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.
In closing, let me offer the following APPLICATIONS.
(1) I ask you a plain question. Do not turn away from it and refuse to look it in the face. Shall you be gathered by the angels into God’s home when the Lord returns — or shall you be left behind?
One thing, at any rate, is very certain — there will only be two groups of mankind at the last great day: those who are on the right hand of Christ — and those who are on the left; those who are counted righteous — and those who are wicked; those who are safe in the ark — and those who are outside; those who are gathered like wheat into God’s barn — and those who are left behind like tares to be burned.
Now, what will your portion be?
Perhaps you do not know yet. You cannot say. You are not sure. You hope the best. You trust it will be all right at last — but you won’t undertake to give an opinion. Well! I only hope you will never rest until you do know. The Bible will tell you plainly who are they that will be gathered. Your own heart, if you deal honestly, will tell you whether you are one of the numbers. Rest not, rest not, until you know!
How men can stand the partings and separations of this life — if they have no hope of anything better? How they can bear to say “good-bye” to sons and daughters, and launch them on the troublesome waves of this world — if they have no expectation of a safe “gathering” in Christ at last? How they can part with beloved members of their families, and let them journey forth to the other side of the globe, not knowing if they shall ever meet happily in this life or a life to come? How all this can be, completely baffles my understanding! I can only suppose that the many never think, never consider, never look forward. Once let a man begin to think — and he will never be satisfied until he has found Christ and is safe.
(2) I offer you a plain means of testing your own soul’s condition, if you want to know if you will be gathered into God’s home. Ask yourself what kind of gatherings you like best here upon earth? Ask yourself whether you really love the assembling together of God’s people?
How could that man enjoy the meeting of true Christians in Heaven — who takes no pleasure in meeting true Christians on earth? How can that heart which is wholly set on balls, and races, and feasts, and amusements, and worldly parties — and thinks Christian worship a weariness — how can such a heart be in tune for the company of saints, and saints alone? The thing is impossible. It cannot be.
Never, never let it be forgotten, that our tastes on earth are sure evidence of the state of our hearts; and the state of our hearts here on earth, is a sure indication of our eternal home hereafter. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. He who hopes to be gathered with saints in Heaven, while he only loves the gathering of sinners on earth — is deceiving himself. If he lives and dies in that state of mind, he will find at last that it would have been better if he had never been born!
(3) If you are a true Christian, I exhort you to be often looking forward. Your best things are yet to come! Your redemption draws near! The night is far spent — the day is at hand. Yet in a little while, and He whom you love and believe on, will come, and will not tarry. When He comes, He will bring His dead saints with Him and change His living ones. Look forward! There is a “gathering together” yet to come!
The morning after a shipwreck is a sorrowful time. The joy of half-drowned survivors, who have safely reached the land — is often sadly marred by the recollection of shipmates who have sunk to rise no more. There will be no such sorrow when believers gather together round the throne of the Lamb. Not one of the ship’s company shall be found absent! “Some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship — all will get safe to shore at last.” (Acts 27:44.) The great waters and raging waves shall swallow none of God’s elect! When the sun rises — they shall be seen all safe, and “gathered together.”
Even the day after a great victory is a sorrowful time. The triumphant feelings of the conquerors are often mingled with bitter regrets for those who fell in action, and died on the field. The list of “killed, wounded, and missing,” breaks many a heart, fills many a home with mourning, and brings many a grey head sorrowing to the grave! The great Duke of Wellington often said, “there was but one thing worse than a victory — and that was a defeat.” But thanks be to God, there will be no such sorrow in Heaven! The soldiers of the great Captain of our salvation shall all answer to their names at last! The muster-roll shall be as complete after the battle — as it was before! Not one believer shall be “missing” in the great “gathering together.”
Does Christmas, for instance, bring with it sorrowful feelings and painful associations? Do tears rise unbidden in your eyes when you mark the empty places around the fireside? Do grave thoughts come sweeping over your mind, even in the midst of your children’s mirth — when you recollect the dear old faces and much-loved voices of some who sleep in the churchyard? Well, look up and look forward! The time is short. The world is growing old. The coming of the Lord draws near! There is yet to be a meeting without parting, and a gathering without separation. Those believers whom you laid in the grave with many tears are in good keeping — you will yet see them again with joy. Look up! I say once more. Lay hold by faith on the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto Him.” Believe it, think of it, rest on it. It is all true!
Do you feel lonely and desolate as every December comes round? Do you find few to pray with, few to praise with, few to open your heart to, few to exchange experience with? Do you learn increasingly, that Heaven is becoming every year fuller — and earth emptier?
Well, it is an old story. You are only drinking a cup which myriads have drunk before. Look up and look forward. The lonely time will soon be past and over — you will have company enough by and by. “When you wake up after your Lord’s likeness — you shall be satisfied.” (Psalm 17:15.) Yet in a little while and you shall see a congregation that shall never break up, and a Sabbath that shall never end. “The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto Him,” shall make amends for all!
“Therefore comfort one another with these words!” 1 Thessalonians 4:18
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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