Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 1.3
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, 14.13
Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, 16.15
Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, 19.9
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, 20.6
Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book, 22.7
Blessed are they that do His commandments, 22.14
by H. A. Barnes (England)
The Apostle's trump, gives no uncertain sound,
And only in the sacred page 'tis found;
This hallowed ground we tread with unshod feet
No room for haughty spirit or conceit.
The wise and prudent may of knowledge boast,
But babes in Christ the Bible treasures most;
The pilgrim's manna, gathered day by day
Pillar of fire by night, to lead the way.
Christ is the only Saviour for the lost,
To save a poor soul think of what it cost;
Christ is the gathering centre for His own
Unto His Holy Name, and His alone.
All rival names throughout all Christendom,
Names of great persons, and of doctrine some,
These split the Church of God in petty sects
Unlike the church in chapter two of Acts.
Hiss of the serpent in all sects we see,
Who hates the sight of Godly unity;
A unity so pleasant and so good
For which the Godly in all ages stood.
A unity we are not told to make,
Here zealous ones have made the same mistake;
Distinguishing themselves with good intent
Such practise they o'er look, God never meant
Simple the order of God's grand design,
To break the bread and drink the cup of wine;
Privilege of those in fellowship to share
And also in His Name to meet for prayer.
To Scriptural order let us warmly cling,
In loved obedience to our Heavenly King;
Baptized and gathered to His lovely Name
Outside the camp to bear reproach and shame.
The unbeliever and unlearned may gaze,
As the Assembly raise their songs of praise;
Outside the fellowship none do partake
It is Assembly privilege that's at stake.
Thus commendation letters were the rule,
To guard against the "open table" school;
The table is the Lord's and not of man
So let us stick to Acts Two's all wise plan.
And when the Lord descends the open air,
All blood bought ones shall in the rapture share,
But not one sect or party shall arise
Christ's the great gathering centre in the skies.
Then open table and its advocates,
Will have to leave the sectarian names and states;
And to one Name and Lordship humbly bow
Better to take the step and do it now.
R. Hull (Belfast)
(J. N. DARBY)
It should be joy to anyone who loves the Lord Jesus to think of having His individual peculiar approbation and love; to find He has approved of our conduct in such and such circumstances, though none know this but ourselves who receive the approval.
But, beloved, are we really content to have an approval which Christ only knows? Let us try ourselves a little. Are we not too desirous of man's commendation of our conduct? or at least that he should know and give us credit for the motives which actuate it? Are we content, so long as good is done, that nobody should know anything about us — even in the church to be thought nothing of? that Christ alone should give us the "white stone" of His approval, and the new name which no man knoweth save only he that receiveth it?
Are we content, I say, to seek nothing else? Oh! think what the terrible evil and treachery of that heart must be that is not satisfied with Christ's special favour, but seeks honour (as we do) of one another instead! I ask you, beloved, which would be most precious to you, which would you prefer, the Lord's public owning of you as a good and faithful servant, or the private individual love of Christ resting upon you — the secret knowledge of His love and approval? He whose heart is specially attached to Christ will respond, "The latter."
Both will be ours, if faithful; but we shall value this most; and there is nothing that will carry us so straight on our course as the anticipation of it.
The Lord does not delight in His people's suffering, but in what the suffering produces of Himself, which is precious to God.
W. Reid.